The merger of GijimaAst Information Technology Services and the Namibian-based Information Technology Department (ITD) is a blueprint for GijimaAst's African expansion programme, says Marcel Capra, managing executive of the company's international division.
ITD, 100%-owned by Ombiga Holdings, purchased 30% of GijimaAst Namibia at the beginning of November.
"Through this partnership, we aim to localise ICT expertise, a blueprint for other African markets," Capra says. Creating local ICT knowledge and skills transfer in Namibia was a strong motivating factor behind the merger, he adds.
He notes that GijimaAst, SAP and the Polytechnic of Namibia have signed an agreement to train Namibian students to become tech-savvy. GijimaAst will also offer the graduates jobs and internships.
Employing locals
GijimaAst Namibia employs 75 people and intends to employ and train 20 more Namibians to become Microsoft and SAP proficient.
"In the past, IT skills were usually exported from SA's GijimaAst head office, but now we are going to train local people, which is set to be the pattern for the rest of our African partners and future partners.
"We have strong intentions to extend our African expansion strategy into sub-Saharan countries, most notably Angola, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and Uganda," he says.
The partnership hopes to house one of the strongest ICT operations in Namibia, adds Capra.
The merger will help GijimaAst Namibia operate more diversely in the public sector, an area that ITD has a strong grasp on, says Capra. GijimaAst Namibia's primary concern has been the private sector, he adds.
"The combination of our expertise and market reach will create a larger customer base and geographic footprint."
The merged company will keep the GijimaAst name, he adds.
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