Post date: Jun 03, 2011 11:28:30 AM
International Business Machines Corp (IBM) looks to emerging markets in Africa for new business, as it strengthens IBM's operations in East Africa with the opening of an office in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA (JUNE 02, 2011) REUTERS - International Business Machines (IBM) said on Thursday (June 2) it expects Africa to be a strong growth area for the information technology business over the next five years, thanks to growth in banking and telecoms.
IBM opened a subsidiary office in Tanzania this week, its 20th outlet in Africa as it continues to increase its footprint on the continent.
"IBM recognizes that there is a lot of growth that's happening in Africa and it's part of our growth market strategy were we are opening offices in various parts of the world, in what is typically termed as the emerging markets were there is double digit growth as opposed to perhaps a single digit growth in the mature markets. There is a very intense
focus on Africa, growth opportunities in the banking sectors and public sectors and in telecommunications," Tony Mwai, general manager for IBM East Africa told Reuters.In Tanzania, IBM has signed a deal with the country's biggest commercial bank, National Microfinance Bank (NMB), to provide technology services.
"Banking sector in Tanzania has seen a complete transformation over the last five years. This transformation has been driven mainly by technology. As a bank we have looked at technology as an enabling environment for us to provide the required services.
IBM has been handy in the sense that they've come up with a technology which seems to be working," said John Ncube, NMB's chief information officer.
IBM, which signed a deal in September to manage Bharti Airtel's IT operations in 16 African countries, has embarked on an expansion programme across the continent.