Microsoft Corporation has launched its first African Development Centre (ADC) in Lagos. The centre which is a $100 million investment by the multi-billion dollar firm is where software engineering solutions is expected to be provided to Africa.
The hub, which was created alongside the one in Nairobi, Kenya, will be the first to be opened in Africa and is another sign of the continent’s growing importance as a global hub for talent.
In his keynote speech, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami said the citing of the Africa Development Centre in Nigeria shows the confidence that Microsoft has in Nigeria as a leading tech country on the continent and a worthy partner.
Speaking on this, Pantami noted that the facility that was launched today aligns with several of the ministry’s pillars.
In his words, “The first of these pillars is the Digital Literacy and Skills Pillar (Pillar #2). We believe this centre will provide such high-level and in demand skills for Nigerians. Effective capacity building also involves mentorship that we believe this Centre will also support in providing this. The impact of mentorship is evident in the success of Microsoft, as even Bill Gates attested to the importance of being mentored by Warren Buffet.
“The Digital Society and Emerging Technologies (Pillar #7) and Digital Services Development and Promotion (Pillar #5) also represent areas of alignment with the activities of the ADC. It is note worthy that several of the main hard skills promoted in the Forth Industrial Revolution are expressed as emerging technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Augumented Reality, Blockchain, etc.
“We are happy that the activities at this Centre include an extensive use of these emerging technologies and it was interesting to read that your focus regarding the ADC is to ensure “local innovation, global impact (as you seek to) fuel AI, machine learning and mixed reality innovation.”
“We are sure that partnerships in these areas will be mutually beneficial to both Microsoft and the Nigerian government”, Pantami congratulated.
Also speaking on this in a tweet post, the Personal Assistant to the President on Digital and New Media, Bashir Ahmed on his official Twitter account said, “the Microsoft, an American multinational technology corporation which produces computer software, personal computers, and related services, opens its first African Development Centre (ADC) in Lagos, Nigeria.’’
The Microsoft Corporate Vice President, Michael Fortin, during the launch of this centre in May 2019, said that the desire of the technology firm is to recruit exceptional engineering talent and provide the opportunity to work on the latest technologies suitable for Kenya, Nigeria and the rest of the world.
He said that in doing so, engineers are able to enjoy meaningful work from their home countries, while plugged into a global engineering and development organisation.
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Recall that in May 2019, Microsoft announced the launching of the Nigeria site of its first Africa Development Centre. The centre, which is Microsoft’s 7th globally, was expected to recruit world-class African engineering talent to develop innovative solutions that span the intelligent cloud and intelligent edge.
Increased Microsoft presence in Africa will empower partners and customers as they use Microsoft solutions in fields important to the continent like FinTech, AgriTech and OffGrid energy.
For the ADC, Microsoft is seeking engineering talent in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and mixed reality.