Kaspersky Lab is opening a South African office in mid-2009, in a move it says will offer technical support and presales consulting. The office will also handle all local marketing activities.
Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (EEMEA) is no doubt the fastest growing region for Kaspersky Lab and Africa, in particular, said Gary Kondakov, MD of Kaspersky Lab EEMEA, at a Kaspersky Lab international press tour, in Moscow yesterday.
According to Kondakov, SA is the hub for Sub-Saharan Africa, a region that is experiencing tremendous growth, in the region of 200% year-on-year. However, he says this growth is expected to even out, due to limited consumption, experienced in all areas of business during a financial crisis.
He says, at present, Kaspersky has two South African distributors, Biodata IT and Africa SD, but is in the process of signing a third, and has several proposals from other local distributors, which it is considering. It will also begin a partner programme in January.
"Although Africa accounts for 3% to 4% of the EEMEA region, we still see it as an important region for the company," says Kondakov.
Speaking of emerging markets, he says high levels of piracy and fewer opportunities than in mature markets have seen Kaspersky initially approach these markets with business products, rather than consumer products as it has done with mature markets.
"The barriers to entry in emerging markets are not as high as seen in mature markets," he says. "Even newcomers, should their products be good and their services solid, should be able to make inroads. Even our top competitors are not in such strong positions; it is much easier for us to compete against them in emerging markets."
Kondakov sees the company growing its market share through a combination of new business, and business taken away from its competitors. "We believe there are new business opportunities out there, but will also be aggressive in taking pieces of the pie away from our competitors."
Africa is taking off in a big way, he concludes. "Kaspersky is just there to assist, and provide solid security solutions to all users in the region."
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