Microsoft signed a deal with theUNto help bring IT benefits to Africa
at a development summit in Rwanda this week.
As part of the partnership, formed at the Connect Africa summit,
the pair will launch Global View, an online platform designed to
track and accelerate IT-related development projects on the
continent.
Microsoft signed a memorandum of understanding with the UN's
International
Telecommunication Union outlining how they will work
together.
The partnership will support programmes providing skills
development, as well as delivering relevant applications and
services in Africa. ITU and Microsoft will also collaborate
globally on cybersecurity and provide support for regulators in
developing countries.
In addition, they will provide access to computer technology
training for young people and opportunities for industry work
experience.
Hamadoun Touré, secretary-general of the ITU, said, "Connect
Africa is a call to action for the private sector, and we are
encouraged by the progress we have made together with Microsoft to
broaden the scope of capacity building in Africa."
Michael Rawding, vice-president of the Unlimited Potential Group
at Microsoft, said, "Bringing the benefits of technology to the
next five billion people will require new approaches to development
and new partnerships between international organisations,
governments, and the private sector.
"We are committed to applying technology to advance social and
economic opportunity".