Global technology firm IBM plans to launch its first African research lab in Nairobi, Kenya on Tuesday, a representative of the company has told ITWeb Africa.

The lab, which is the first of such facilities the company plans launch on the continent, is to be geared to help develop and deploy innovative information technology applications to tackle perennial challenges in areas such as water and sanitation, energy, public procurement inefficiencies and traffic jams.

In particular, the lab is set to focus on three major areas that include ICT skills training, urban development and planning, and lastly the digitisation of public services through e-governance solutions.

Kenya becomes the 12th country to have the IBM research lab facility.

The facility is part of a global rollout of such facilities and it planned to help increase the East African country’s IT profile.