Microsoft launches $100mn investment worth development centres in Kenya, Nigeria

Microsoft Corporation has launched Africa technology development centres with sites in Kenya and Nigeria with an investment of USD 100 million. The tech giant corporation plans to hire 100 full-time engineers by the end of this year and 500 engineers by 2023.

Microsoft corporation executives have met with President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta ahead of the scheduled Africa Development Centre launch event in the capital city, Nairobi. The visit was to formally inform the president of the scheduled launch project in Kenya. During the meeting, top executives of Microsoft led by Vice President for Gaming, Phil Spencer revealed that the Africa Development Centre will serve the Eastern Africa region.

According to Phil Spencer, Microsoft will open the technology centre, which will become the corporate’s gateway to the region. It will have tremendous potential and business opportunities for tech-savvy Kenyan youth in the various ICT specializations. The corporation will be starting absorbing 100 local engineers as discussed about the vacancies in March.

Region Week confirms that Microsoft has launched its first Africa development centres with two offices in Kenya and Nigeria. These centres will serve as premier centre of engineering for Microsoft. Microsoft is in the process of tying up with the local universities in Kenya to create a modern intelligent edge and cloud curriculum, totally unique to Africa.

Kenya’s Head of State, Uhuru Kenyatta has highly welcomed the new initiative and vowed to provide any kind of assistance to Microsoft. “You can count on my 100 per cent support. I want this to be a transparent partnership that benefits Microsoft and Kenyans greatly. We want you to make Kenya your African home. You will not find another country with the same capacity like Kenya. Ensure we do not lose the intellectual property rights that belong to our young people. We need an open and transparent partnership,” Kenyatta said.

Microsoft has also earmarked Nigeria as the other beneficiary of a similar facility on the continent to serve West Africa. “The African Development Centres will contribute to Microsoft’s interests across global businesses such as Office, Azure and Windows among others,” Spencer opined while adding that his corporation is witnessing exciting changes to the technological landscape in Africa.

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