Microsoft clinches major carrier for African expansion
MTN Group has signed a pact with Microsoft that could help launch its mobile operations into the cloud in hyperscale time. Meanwhile the US firm has secured a carrier for its African expansion plans. MTN Group and Microsoft announced their new partnership promising to ‘digitally transform (mobilise and computerise) Africa as part of a shared vision for economic growth. Announcing their new partnership MTN Group stressed its intent to solve the communications and admin problems of governments, businesses and customers with Microsoft systems.
Digital transformation would prepare the various mobile operators within the MTN Group to use the cloud more skilfully, which could massively expedite the groundwork needed for a ‘telco cloud’ or ‘cloud native’ 5G operations. The parties have a carrier agreement which makes MTN the major provider of terrestrial connectivity for Microsoft’s Africa-based expansion plans. The two companies say they will develop joint go-to-market plans in MTN’s territories, targeting African enterprise customers. Microsoft will train MTN Group staff to sell Microsoft’s products and cloud services in Africa.
A press release describes a plan to transform and modernise MTN’s comms and tech infrastructure and ‘harness capabilities’ to build ‘the largest and most valuable platform for business’ with a clear focus on Africa. “Partnering with Microsoft [can] support our Ambition 2025 strategy,” said Group Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer Chika Ekeji. “Together we will use the power of technology and connectivity to innovate and accelerate the digitalisation and development of the continent.”
Cloud transformation and joint enterprise plans apart, the partnership includes knowledge-sharing, innovation and expansion into digital education, micro-SME digitisation, fintech and gaming. This would stimulate micro-economic forces through shared value by extending digital and financial inclusion across Africa. “With MTN [we] will play a pivotal role in Africa’s digital transformation,” said Samer Abu-Ltaif, Corporate Vice-President and President of Microsoft Middle East and Africa. “We recognise Africa’s potential and [can] deliver the infrastructure that accelerates this digital transformation.”
The African economy as a whole will benefit from new inventions, digital skills training and education and support al enterprises from small to industrial scale, said Abu-Ltaif, who promised that Africa would now compete better on a global stage.