Microsoft Nigeria gets new Manager

The software giant, Microsoft, has announced the appointment of
Kabelo Makwane as the company’s new country manager for
Nigeria.
As country manager, Makwane hopes, among many things, will
address the challenge of local innovation.
With this development, the seasoned technology professional and
long-standing member of the Microsoft family, South African born
Makwane will lead the company’s global shift to a devices and
services offering in one of the most dynamic, innovative and fast
growing countries on the continent. “I am extremely excited to be appointed to lead the Nigerian subsidiary during this dynamic time on the continent,” Makwane  said, adding that , “Microsoft is focused on unlocking the economic opportunities of Africa and it’s a
time when the company can have real economic impact in the country.
I believe technology is an enabler at every level of society and am
excited at being able to have an impact on this vibrant and unique
country.”
“While most technology trends, innovations and consumer products
come from the West and the East, Africans are realizing that for us
to solve the continent’s technology-related challenges, we have to find
African solutions.
“ICT holds transformational opportunity for Nigeria. Innovation will
help the country leap from the industrial revolution into the
information era. It is the land of opportunity. There is no place like
it.”, he said.
According to him, “The renewed emphasis by the Nigerian government
on the ICT sector holds considerable promise for what technology can
bring to consumers and businesses. It gives us an opportunity to use
our technology, talent, time and money to help create sustainable
growth in the country and across the African continent.”
“I’m excited to be spearheading this continued investment in Nigeria,
and certainly look forward to working with government, industry,
academia and the general public to enable Nigeria to realize its
potential through innovation. I look forward to unearthing the
economic opportunities, especially with small businesses to drive job
creation, and to foster meaningful 21st century skills in our youth.”he
explained.
Prior to his role as country manager, Makwane served as Public
Sector Director in the Microsoft South Africa subsidiary.
Here, he led the business to double digit growth and built an
accomplished team, which continues to deliver high growth levels.
Reacting to the new development,  Hennie Loubser, general manager
of West, East, Central Africa and Indian Ocean Islands said that ,
“I applaud Kabelo on this exciting new role. He has a close
relationship with the team and has been following the market closely,
establishing strong connections in the region. His passion and natural
understanding of our business makes him the ideal candidate for this
role.”
As a multinational organization, Microsoft believes in hiring
individuals that can bring global and external expertise into different
regions, whilst at the same time gaining new experiences.
“It’s worth noting that Nigerian national and ex-Microsoft Nigeria
employee, Kunle Awosika, is now the country for Microsoft Kenya –
another example of our diversity  and bringing external expertise to
strategic and critical roles,”  Loubser explained, adding that, .“This
way, knowledge can be shared and integrated across different markets
– ensuring that different regions benefit, learn and gain insights from
each other. Kabelo’s extensive Microsoft experience is definitely going
to complement the local knowledge base and bring something beneficial
to the ICT industry in Nigeria.”
With Gross Domestic Product growth rates sustained at over 6%,
Nigeria has shown continual expansion, including diversification
within the oil sector and considerable infrastructure investment in the
Information &Communication Technology (ICT) sector.
Microsoft firmly embraces this tremendous economic and social
progression, with Makwane at the helm.
It would be recalled that Microsoft has been operating in Nigeria for
13 years and currently has a local partner ecosystem of 1,750 members.
In addition, through its partner ecosystem it has created 45 000 jobs,
supported 300 start-ups, reached three million students through the
Partners in Learning programme, and seen 65 000 downloads of free
DreamSpark developer tools.

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