Remember when we reported Microsoft’s plan to launch the first development centers in Kenya and Nigeria? They finally launched the Africa Development Center project for Lagos Nigeria on May 18th, 2019. The Nigerian center is their 7th global center for recruiting engineering developers.
The opening ceremony was graced by Phil Spencer, Executive Sponsor of the ADC and Executive Vice president at Microsoft; Akin Banuso, Country Manager for Microsoft Nigeria; Alex Kipman, Technical fellow at Microsoft. The governor-elect of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Mitchell Elegbe, CEO of Interswitch also attended the ceremony. Sanwo-Olu thanked the Microsoft group for siting the development center in Lagos State.
This morning I met with gaming leaders in Lagos ending a great week launching the Microsoft Africa Development Center #MicrosoftADC in Kenya and Nigeria. Strong gaming communities here, great to get their input on how to help continue to grow the industry across the continent. pic.twitter.com/RehIzIQfbh
— Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) May 18, 2019
See also: Microsoft Set to Launch $100 Million African Development Center
The newly launched center presents an opportunity to connect with partners, academia, developers and governments in Fintech, Agritech and Offgrid energy. Microsoft has partnered with local universities to train 100 engineers in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Artificial/Virtual Realities by the end of 2019.
Thank you Lagos for your warm welcome of the #MicrosoftADC!
We are excited for this next chapter! pic.twitter.com/pDxWy9Tv5f— Microsoft Nigeria (@MicrosoftNG) May 17, 2019
In the next 5 years, Microsoft plans to invest $100 million in employment and infrastructural development across Kenya and Nigeria. They have started working on Artificial/Virtual Reality services in Nigeria and is already in partnership with Interswitch, M-KOPA, and Flutterwave to empower Nigerian and Kenyan youths.