IBM hopes to capture growth, improve service quality and tap into burgeoning Sub-Saharan African markets by expanding its operations in Nigeria.
The company has appointed Endy Chiakpo as country GM for IBM Nigeria and West Africa. Chiakpo, who has been with the company for 20 years, has built up extensive experience in IT solutions, and addressing government and business infrastructure and challenges, according to the company.
He will be responsible for driving business expansion and growth throughout Nigeria and surrounding areas.
“Africa, particularly the West African region, is an increasingly important area for IBM, and I'm looking forward to broadening our partnerships with all stakeholders to create value and growth for Nigeria and all of West Africa,” says Chiakpo.
The company also aims to increase its ability to support clients, business partners and government organisations in order to boost productivity, it said in a press release.
Chiakpo adds that IBM's increased presence in Nigeria means the company will be better positioned to deliver complex projects and provide expansive solutions. This will allow for greater support of its clients - both in business and the public sector.
“In Nigeria specifically, we will seek to provide smarter solutions to the federal government's priority areas which include e-government development, power and energy, transportation and security.”
Economy smarts
His appointment is closely aligned with IBM's aim of providing resources for the delivery of intelligent IT solutions and services in the West Africa region, notes Mark Harris, GM of IBM Sub-Saharan Africa.
“The Sub-Saharan African market is poised for continued growth flowing from the development and expansion of telecommunications networks, power grids and transport infrastructure.
“We are seeing continued private and public sector investment in the region, and IBM is well positioned to help create a smarter African economy to compete in the global marketplace,” he adds.
IBM has invested more than $120 million in the continent in the past two years as part of its strategy to focus on growth markets. This includes a Johannesburg-based Africa Innovation Centre, with a software solutions lab, a cloud computing facility, and a banking centre. The company also donated a Blue Gene supercomputer, situated in Cape Town's Centre for High Performance Computing, to be used for research by institutions across Sub-Saharan Africa.
“Nigeria and the West Africa region present great opportunities for growth, especially in the financial services, telecommunications and public sectors, as well as in mobile technologies and e-government. The climate for investment has never been better than it is right now,” says Chiakpo.
Branching out
The company says its expansion will also support the country's overall development agenda. “Our key priorities with our increased presence in Nigeria and the region include providing support to our clients in the banking, telecommunications and public sectors,” explains Chiakpo.
“In addition, we will partner with local universities and other stakeholders to develop ICT skills and contribute to social development and education through our corporate citizenship initiatives.”
One example of IBM's development strategy is Project Dembe, an initiative which it says offers businesses and governments throughout the region with a secure, cost-effective desktop alternative.
The project will incorporate services such as cloud computing and collaboration technology which Chiakpo feels will help clients leapfrog into the new computing model.
IBM hopes Project Dembe will extend skills and business opportunities to aspiring IBM business partners in the region, help governments execute open standards mandates, and drive healthcare education across the Sub-Saharan Africa region.
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