Kenya to reap big from global firm's Sh40b software project

Kenya: Software firm, Systems Applications Products (SAP) has announced a Sh44 billion war-chest to develop tailor-made business software for Africa. The programme, to run until 2020, will focus mainly on accelerating growth in energy, utilities, financial services and telecommunications sectors in Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, Angola and Morocco.

Announcing the plan at a press briefing in Johannesburg, South Africa, Robert Enslin (pictured), a member of SAP’s executive board, said they want to establish the continent as one of their top-five growth markets globally. “The African market is unique in its growth potential and readiness to innovate. The SAP executive board strongly believes that now is the right time to take our engagement and commitment to expand in Africa to the next level,” said Enslin, also the firm’s president of global customer operations.

And as a long-term commitment to regional expansion and skills development, SAP will train up to 10,000 IT consultants through its Skills for Africa Programme, with an innovation hub to be built in Johannesburg. “We plan to engage and invest in even more markets while helping build the appropriate talent base for the IT industry and support our customers and partners by actively contributing toward crucial technology and business skills-sets and new employment opportunities in Africa,” said Enslin.

The Skills for Africa programme was successfully tested in Kenya, where 67 graduates were awarded SAP certification. “The launch of additional Skills for Africa scholarship programme sessions in S Africa, Kenya, Nigeria and Angola by the end of the year will foster an open business ecosystem of SAP-qualified consultants to execute various projects. This follows on the heels of the announcement last year of SAP Africa’s skills development agreement with the World Bank,” said Pfumwa Serima, SAP Africa CEO.

The firm has selected the country as the next market for the company’s Emerging Entrepreneur Initiative programme to enhance small and mid-size enterprises, which contribute 40 per cent to Africa’s GDP. SAP Managing Director for East Africa Andrew Waititu said the Sh44 billion investment in Africa will be allocated on a needs, ongoing basis. "East Africa has a lot of potential especially in utilities and public service,” Waititu said.