Microsoft in Africa, 1992-Present

Subsidiary in South Africa

Jan 1, 1992

Microsoft Corp. announces plans to return to South Africa in January 1992. The political climate, although complex, is ripe for foreign investment.

Subsidiary in Morroco

Jan 1, 1993

Subsidiaries in Kenya, Egypt

Jan 1, 1995

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Subsidiary in Ivory Coast

Jan 1, 1996

Subsidiary in Mauritius

Jan 1, 1997

Microsoft helps put Soweto on line

Mar 7, 1997

Microsoft opens a digital village in Soweto, South Africa. The company has plans to open 99 more digital villages.

Microsoft in South Africa

Mar 8, 1997

Microsoft seeks to open eight offices on the continent of Africa over the course of three years. The most logical first step is to establish a base in South Africa

Microsoft: First America, Now the World

Aug 18, 1997

A look at how Microsoft enters a foreign market, in this case, India

Subsidiary in Namibia

Jan 1, 1998

Subsidiary in Tunisia

Jan 1, 1999

Mandela praises Microsoft, private sector

Nov 13, 1999

Nelson Mandela (no longer president at this point) praises Microsoft as a flagship for private sector growth in both South Africa and the world

Microsoft South Africa 'breaking new ground'

Nov 16, 1999

The company invests R90 million in fund to invest in sub-Saharan Africa

Subsidiaries in Algeria, Nigeria

Jan 1, 2000

Africa: The Linux Continent?

Sep 22, 2000

Microsoft does not see Linux as a threat and believes the cost of ownership is lower with Microsoft products. However, Linux and the prospects of open source products appeal to a growing number of techies.

Microsoft To supply South Africa Govt

Apr 20, 2001

A three-year software licensing agreement is signed

Microsoft Intensifies Anti-Piracy Battle

May 3, 2001

Software piracy remains a concern

Microsoft Introduces New Corporate Licensing Model

Jul 25, 2002

Microsoft implements a new payment model in South Africa

Is Microsoft losing ground to Linux?

Nov 1, 2002

SchoolNet Namibia rejects an offer by Microsoft to install Windows systems in its schools. The organization cited Microsoft's rapid product cycles and expensive long-term maintenance as deterrants.

Microsoft in isiZulu, Afrikaans

Sep 23, 2003

The company partners with the South African government to produce translated software

Microsoft committed to black empowerment

Sep 25, 2003

The company is committed to black empowerment in South Africa

MS Defends African Government Deals

Feb 20, 2004

Microsoft battles open source developments

Microsoft signs pacts with African countries

Mar 31, 2004

Angola and Ghana agree to work with Microsoft

Microsoft to launch in Kiswahili

Jun 17, 2004

Windows is to be translated into Kiswahili

Microsoft Aids Schools

Sep 9, 2004

Microsoft donates free copies of Windows 98 and 2000 for school-use

Microsoft to open a graduate student academy

Dec 25, 2004

Microsoft opens an IT schools in South Africa

Africa Microsoft to implement technology to the education sector

Jan 24, 2005

The Ugandan government signs a 'Partners in Learning' deal with Microsoft

Microsoft signs deal to send scrap PCs to Africa

Jun 7, 2005

Microsoft will arrange shipments of refurbished PCs for Namibian schools

No Midlife Crisis, Says Microsoft At 30

Oct 6, 2005

Microsoft still very confident with its position in Africa

Microsoft: Africa doesn't need free software

Oct 17, 2005

The GM of Microsoft Nigeria states that expertise is the barrier, not cost

Microsoft Launching African Edition of Windows XP

Apr 28, 2006

A lower-priced and African-themed version of Windows XP is launched

Microsoft offers South Africa cheap internet connections

Jul 12, 2006

Microsoft makes deal with SA cell operator to offer reduced Internet costs. Bill Gates says wireless broadband can reduce connectivity costs.

African initiatives announced by Gates

Jul 12, 2006

Microsoft uses the Internet to create an African tourism portal

Microsoft Brings Setswana Software to Southern Africa

Aug 1, 2006

A new language pack for Windows XP is available in Setswana

FG, Microsoft Sign Agreement On E-Government

Dec 21, 2006

The Nigerian government partners with Microsoft

Dr Cheick Diarra: Chairman, Microsoft Africa

Apr 17, 2007

The Microsoft Chairman for Africa explains why the company is focusing on South African educational needs. He also addresses relationships with partners in South Africa and plans to expand educational programs across the continent.

Microsoft forms partnership with IYF

May 1, 2007

40,000 Africans benefit from IT and job training

Microsoft to send recycled computers to Africa

Jun 12, 2007

A continent-wide distribution program for recycled computers is launched

Docit, Microsoft Africa Sign MoU

Jun 13, 2007

The Gambian government partners with Microsoft

Microsoft Accelerates Free Access to Journals

Jul 16, 2007

Microsoft assists with online research

Microsoft offers subscription software in S. Africa

Jul 17, 2007

Pay-as-you-go computing system allows 3-month subscriptions to Office 2007

Microsoft, Telecommunication Union launch online platform for Africa

Nov 1, 2007

Microsoft partners with ITU

Microsoft donates computers to youth groups

Dec 18, 2007

Youth groups in East Africa receive computers from Microsoft

Microsoft to Empower 2500 Youths

Feb 27, 2008

Microsoft supports ICT training for 2,500 youth

Microsoft Announces New Partnership in Africa

Apr 21, 2008

Microsoft partners with Angola

Microsoft Launches NGO ICT4D Academy in Africa

Apr 23, 2008

The NGO academy seeks to strenghten economic development in Africa

Microsoft: E-government Critical in Africa

Apr 24, 2008

Microsoft encourages African governments to implement e-government elements

Microsoft renews African software push

Jul 14, 2008

Microsoft will provide the free licenses to 26,000 schools in South Africa

Microsoft reduces Office price to combat Kenyan piracy

Aug 29, 2008

Microsoft Office 2007 now costs 40% less

Microsoft's Africa Chairman Tackles Access Problems

Sep 25, 2008

The chairman of Microsoft Africa plan on addressing accessibility challenges

Microsoft Battles Low-Cost Rival for Africa

Oct 28, 2008

An excerpt from a WSJ article on Microsoft's infiltration of the African market

Microsoft starts community training project in South Africa

Nov 25, 2008

A community development program in South Africa hopes to teach job skills

The hi-tech battle for Africa

May 15, 2009

Microsoft defends criticism of its practices across the continent

Microsoft, Schoolnet Reward Innovative Teachers

Jun 9, 2009

Microsoft honors innovative teachers in Nigeria

Microsoft Promises Savings in Hard Times

Aug 3, 2009

Microsoft will continue to invest at the same rate in Africa despite the economic downturn

Microsoft introduces OneApp for mobile social networking in South Africa

Aug 24, 2009

A new application developed by Microsoft in South Africa will facilitate mobile social networking

New IBM software competes with Microsoft in Africa

Sep 24, 2009

IBM competes with Microsoft for software licenses

African computer scientists recognized

Dec 7, 2009

Three African scientists receive the first TWASS-AAS-Microsoft Award for Young Scientists

Africa Office Home 2007 edition

Dec 15, 2009

The application package is available in Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya. One of the goals is to promote genuine software based on affordability and availability

ECA, Microsoft sign ICT agreement

Jan 30, 2010

The Economic Commission for Africa and Microsoft agree to promote access to the use of ICT in Africa and ensure its local development

World Bank, Microsoft Partnership Will Boost Local Economies - Ezekwesili

Feb 2, 2010

A partnership between Microsoft and the World Bank is expected to support the creation of competitive local economies

Microsoft launches new product in Kenya

Feb 17, 2010

The discounted Microsoft Office 2007 Home and Student can be installed on three computers

Microsoft strengthens commitment to Nigeria economy

Mar 12, 2010

Microsoft opens a new office in Lagos, a reflection of local growth

Microsoft Launches IE 8 in Ethiopia

Mar 16, 2010

The product features enhanced security and safety features which are expected to mitigate problems at cyber cafés

Microsoft in new ‘no byte left unused’ deal with schools

Apr 19, 2010

Schools now can use one CPU for multiple students instead of matching the number of PCs with the number of students

Inspire Programme

Apr 20, 2010

Microsoft supports a variety of networking and interaction programs at the academic level

Mobile Healthcare for Africa

May 1, 2010

Africa will grant five awards of about US$25,000 each to fund projects relating to mobile healthcare