COMESA, Microsoft to promote access, skills in 19 African countries

In an effort to promote regional trade, local and foreign investment and improved public sector service delivery, Microsoft yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).

The agreement sets out how they will collaborate in the areas of access to technology, development of relevant skills and the fostering of innovation in COMESA’s 19 member States.

This is in line with the Microsoft 4Afrika Initiative’s three core focus areas world-class skills, access and innovation.

Mr. Sindiso Ngwenya, COMESA’s Secretary General during the signing, said: “Business technology has revolutionized the way countries and firms conduct business.

“We are in an age where the planning processes of organizations is through instruments and solutions that promote quality management, and respond to age –old constraints of time limitations and high costs of operations.”

“Through Microsoft’s 4Afrika Initiative, we have been working to increase regional trade and the growth of the knowledge economy in Africa,” Antony Cook, Associate General Counsel, Legal and Corporate Affairs Microsoft, Middle East and Africa, said, adding that. “Through influential partnerships, such as the one with COMESA, we aim to scale across the region further to impact not just thousands, but millions.”