Microsoft bets on Africa's IT future

February 1, 2005 —

Could Africa become the next India?

Faced with the daunting challenges of poverty, underdeveloped infrastructure, disease and civil war, few might consider the continent a budding technology hotspot. Yet over the last decade Microsoft Corp. has been investing money and resources to foster growth in the region and its efforts are starting to pay off.

"Obviously there is a significant gap between Africa and more developed countries, but I must admit it's one of the fastest growing regions in the world," said Jean-Philippe Courtois, chief executive officer for Microsoft in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

The continent is made up of relatively young countries -- in some, over half the population is between 25 and 30 years old -- and its leaders are looking to IT to narrow the development gap, Courtois said.

While Africa is nowhere near supplanting India as an outsourcing location, or China as a consumer market, five to 10 years from now that may start to change as governments in the region focus on hemming up the digital divide.

As an industry powerhouse with profit to burn, Microsoft has made itself central to many of these aspirants' plans. From South Africa to Kenya, and along the Ivory Coast, the software titan has been investing millions of dollars in offices, training centers, education programs and e-government projects to help bring developing communities into the digital age.

While it's clear that Microsoft hopes to eventually reap the benefits of its efforts, allowing it to grow market share at a time when there may be few markets left to claim, it casts its participation in a philanthropic light.

"Our activity in Africa goes way beyond pure business thinking," said Ali Hoballah, Microsoft

IDG News Service