Microsoft has opened an office in Dakar, Senegal, in response to market needs for ICT support and further development in the area. This is according to Yacine Barro, public sector and education account manager for Microsoft West and Central Africa.
The launch of the Microsoft office took place earlier this week with a signed agreement presided over by Senegal's minister of posts, telecommunications and new technologies, Joseph Ndong, and chairman for Africa at Microsoft, Dr Cheick Modibo Diarra.
The signing comes days after Microsoft announced the global release of Windows Vista, Office 2007 and Exchange 2007.
Business hub
Barro says Senegal was chosen because of its advanced telecommunications infrastructure and progressive outlook towards ICT development.
"It is a strong business hub in the West African market which will be beneficial to carrying out Microsoft projects.
"We have a set of projects lined up in accordance with the government's IT strategy," Barro adds.
Microsoft will focus on training civil servants to streamline operations, as well as implement stronger security measures in government institutions.
The company will also fund and support local developers. "We are going to localise our products into Wolof and other local languages."
Challenges
Barro notes a more central office in Dakar will help the company tackle the geographical challenges in the region. "The company will be able to work on its channel partners and build stronger networks in a very large and sometimes uncontrollable environment."
It will also work with local governments to accommodate smoother business operations. "Political upheaval in the region can sometimes put business on hold for more than six months."
The office is the second in West Africa after Cameroon, Barro says.
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