Microsoft in Africa, 1992-Present By oafrica Jan 1, 1992 Subsidiary in South Africa Microsoft Corp. announces plans to return to South Africa in January 1992. The political climate, although complex, is ripe for foreign investment. Jan 1, 1993 Subsidiary in Morroco Jan 1, 1995 Subsidiaries in Kenya, Egypt PDF document Jan 1, 1996 Subsidiary in Ivory Coast Jan 1, 1997 Subsidiary in Mauritius Mar 7, 1997 Microsoft helps put Soweto on line Microsoft opens a digital village in Soweto, South Africa. The company has plans to open 99 more digital villages. Mar 8, 1997 Microsoft in South Africa 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 Aug 18, 1997 Microsoft: First America, Now the World A look at how Microsoft enters a foreign market, in this case, India Jan 1, 1998 Subsidiary in Namibia Jan 1, 1999 Subsidiary in Tunisia Nov 13, 1999 Mandela praises Microsoft, private sector Nelson Mandela (no longer president at this point) praises Microsoft as a flagship for private sector growth in both South Africa and the world Nov 16, 1999 Microsoft South Africa 'breaking new ground' The company invests R90 million in fund to invest in sub-Saharan Africa Jan 1, 2000 Subsidiaries in Algeria, Nigeria Sep 22, 2000 Africa: The Linux Continent? 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. Apr 20, 2001 Microsoft To supply South Africa Govt A three-year software licensing agreement is signed May 3, 2001 Microsoft Intensifies Anti-Piracy Battle Software piracy remains a concern Jul 25, 2002 Microsoft Introduces New Corporate Licensing Model Microsoft implements a new payment model in South Africa Nov 1, 2002 Is Microsoft losing ground to Linux? 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. Sep 23, 2003 Microsoft in isiZulu, Afrikaans The company partners with the South African government to produce translated software Sep 25, 2003 Microsoft committed to black empowerment The company is committed to black empowerment in South Africa Feb 20, 2004 MS Defends African Government Deals Microsoft battles open source developments Mar 31, 2004 Microsoft signs pacts with African countries Angola and Ghana agree to work with Microsoft Jun 17, 2004 Microsoft to launch in Kiswahili Windows is to be translated into Kiswahili Sep 9, 2004 Microsoft Aids Schools Microsoft donates free copies of Windows 98 and 2000 for school-use Dec 25, 2004 Microsoft to open a graduate student academy Microsoft opens an IT schools in South Africa Jan 24, 2005 Africa Microsoft to implement technology to the education sector The Ugandan government signs a 'Partners in Learning' deal with Microsoft Jun 7, 2005 Microsoft signs deal to send scrap PCs to Africa Microsoft will arrange shipments of refurbished PCs for Namibian schools Oct 6, 2005 No Midlife Crisis, Says Microsoft At 30 Microsoft still very confident with its position in Africa Oct 17, 2005 Microsoft: Africa doesn't need free software The GM of Microsoft Nigeria states that expertise is the barrier, not cost Apr 28, 2006 Microsoft Launching African Edition of Windows XP A lower-priced and African-themed version of Windows XP is launched Jul 12, 2006 Microsoft offers South Africa cheap internet connections Microsoft makes deal with SA cell operator to offer reduced Internet costs. Bill Gates says wireless broadband can reduce connectivity costs. Jul 12, 2006 African initiatives announced by Gates Microsoft uses the Internet to create an African tourism portal Aug 1, 2006 Microsoft Brings Setswana Software to Southern Africa A new language pack for Windows XP is available in Setswana Dec 21, 2006 FG, Microsoft Sign Agreement On E-Government The Nigerian government partners with Microsoft Apr 17, 2007 Dr Cheick Diarra: Chairman, Microsoft Africa 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. May 1, 2007 Microsoft forms partnership with IYF 40,000 Africans benefit from IT and job training Jun 12, 2007 Microsoft to send recycled computers to Africa A continent-wide distribution program for recycled computers is launched Jun 13, 2007 Docit, Microsoft Africa Sign MoU The Gambian government partners with Microsoft Jul 16, 2007 Microsoft Accelerates Free Access to Journals Microsoft assists with online research Jul 17, 2007 Microsoft offers subscription software in S. Africa Pay-as-you-go computing system allows 3-month subscriptions to Office 2007 Nov 1, 2007 Microsoft, Telecommunication Union launch online platform for Africa Microsoft partners with ITU Dec 18, 2007 Microsoft donates computers to youth groups Youth groups in East Africa receive computers from Microsoft Feb 27, 2008 Microsoft to Empower 2500 Youths Microsoft supports ICT training for 2,500 youth Apr 21, 2008 Microsoft Announces New Partnership in Africa Microsoft partners with Angola Apr 23, 2008 Microsoft Launches NGO ICT4D Academy in Africa The NGO academy seeks to strenghten economic development in Africa Apr 24, 2008 Microsoft: E-government Critical in Africa Microsoft encourages African governments to implement e-government elements Jul 14, 2008 Microsoft renews African software push Microsoft will provide the free licenses to 26,000 schools in South Africa Aug 29, 2008 Microsoft reduces Office price to combat Kenyan piracy Microsoft Office 2007 now costs 40% less Sep 25, 2008 Microsoft's Africa Chairman Tackles Access Problems The chairman of Microsoft Africa plan on addressing accessibility challenges Oct 28, 2008 Microsoft Battles Low-Cost Rival for Africa An excerpt from a WSJ article on Microsoft's infiltration of the African market Nov 25, 2008 Microsoft starts community training project in South Africa A community development program in South Africa hopes to teach job skills May 15, 2009 The hi-tech battle for Africa Microsoft defends criticism of its practices across the continent Jun 9, 2009 Microsoft, Schoolnet Reward Innovative Teachers Microsoft honors innovative teachers in Nigeria Aug 3, 2009 Microsoft Promises Savings in Hard Times Microsoft will continue to invest at the same rate in Africa despite the economic downturn Aug 24, 2009 Microsoft introduces OneApp for mobile social networking in South Africa A new application developed by Microsoft in South Africa will facilitate mobile social networking Sep 24, 2009 New IBM software competes with Microsoft in Africa IBM competes with Microsoft for software licenses Dec 7, 2009 African computer scientists recognized Three African scientists receive the first TWASS-AAS-Microsoft Award for Young Scientists Dec 15, 2009 Africa Office Home 2007 edition The application package is available in Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya. One of the goals is to promote genuine software based on affordability and availability Jan 30, 2010 ECA, Microsoft sign ICT agreement The Economic Commission for Africa and Microsoft agree to promote access to the use of ICT in Africa and ensure its local development Feb 2, 2010 World Bank, Microsoft Partnership Will Boost Local Economies - Ezekwesili A partnership between Microsoft and the World Bank is expected to support the creation of competitive local economies Feb 17, 2010 Microsoft launches new product in Kenya The discounted Microsoft Office 2007 Home and Student can be installed on three computers Mar 12, 2010 Microsoft strengthens commitment to Nigeria economy Microsoft opens a new office in Lagos, a reflection of local growth Mar 16, 2010 Microsoft Launches IE 8 in Ethiopia The product features enhanced security and safety features which are expected to mitigate problems at cyber cafés Apr 19, 2010 Microsoft in new ‘no byte left unused’ deal with schools Schools now can use one CPU for multiple students instead of matching the number of PCs with the number of students Apr 20, 2010 Inspire Programme Microsoft supports a variety of networking and interaction programs at the academic level May 1, 2010 Mobile Healthcare for Africa Africa will grant five awards of about US$25,000 each to fund projects relating to mobile healthcare