Computers for All
On 7 June 2007, UNIDO and Microsoft announced a joint initiative that would create a bridge between...
...companies discarding used computer equipment and small and medium enterprises in Africa that could refurbish and repair the equipment for their own use. The Refurbished Computer Initiative for Small and Medium Entrepreneurs in Africa was signed by the Director-General of UNIDO and Dr. Cheick Diarra, Chairman of Microsoft Africa at the first African subregional Forum on Information
and Communication Technologies (ICT) Best Practices, held in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. “Small and mediumsize enterprises are the cornerstone of any economy. By providing computers, software and training to entrepreneurs, we aim to foster jobs and opportunities in SMEs in rural Africa”, said Dr. Kandeh Yumkella. Microsoft and UNIDO have been working together since July 2006 to promote innovative uses of ICTs that support entrepreneurship and help promote investment and create business opportunities for SMEs in Africa. According to Dr. Cheick Diarra, there is a great demand for affordable computers among the SME community in Africa. “Microsoft through its know-how with refurbished PC solutions and UNIDO through its experience in SME development, have the opportunity to help address this problem” he stated. The UNIDO-Microsoft initiative sets stringent quality criteria for refurbished computers, including warranties and after-sales service. Since electronic waste is a global problem, the agreement also stipulates ways for the eventual disposal and recycling of obsolete computers.
In a subsequent development on 21 September 2007, a letter of intent was signed jointly by UNIDO, the Government of Uganda and Microsoft aimed at promoting the development of local software solutions in Uganda. The letter of intent followed a July 2006 memorandum of understanding between UNIDO and Microsoft in which both partners agreed on a new strategic collaboration to tackle the root causes of poverty by promoting innovative uses of information and communication technologies. These would, in turn, support entrepreneurship and help promote investment and create business opportunities, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises in Africa. Six district business information centres will provide rural businesses and those who operate them with integrated solutions, instruction in technology and entrepreneurial skills and Internet access. Under the second phase of the project, the number of these centres will be increased to eight. Microsoft has researched rural computing in India extensively and will now apply its knowledge in Uganda. “With this programme,” said Cheick Diarra, Microsoft’s Chairman for Africa, “we are able to make ICT and skills available to adults and young unemployed Africans who want to start a business.”
These initiatives built on an agreement signed by UNIDO and Microsoft on the occasion of the first Microsoft Government Leaders Forum for Africa in Cape Town, South Africa, with the theme “Accelerating Africa’s Global Competitiveness”. “More public-private partnerships are needed—such as the one we have established with Microsoft—to bring Africa closer to achieving the Millennium Development Goals” observed the UNIDO Director-General.
In November 2007, UNIDO and Microsoft received the Africa Investor Award 2007 in the category Best Initiative in Support of Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Development for the Uganda Business Information Centre project. The award ceremony took place on 7 November in Lagos.
