As the channel partner ecosystem advances, Lenovo, a global technology catalyst and one of the world's largest PC manufacturers, says its channel strategy is driving significant growth in Southern Africa (SADC), in line with the continent's growing demand for hybrid work, infrastructure modernisation, and sustainability.
This is according to Yugen Naidoo, general manager for Lenovo Southern Africa, who spoke with ITWeb Africa about the company's commercial strategy, which appears to be working in the region.
Lenovo recently honoured its channel partners in the SADC region with its annual Channel Awards.
The strategy, Lenovo 360, is a unified global channel framework that the company asserts simplifies how partners access and provide the entire spectrum of devices, infrastructure, services, and solutions.
Naidoo told ITWeb Africa that Lenovo 360 enables partners to scale without requiring significant upfront investment, helps talent development in emerging digital markets, and provides flexible, cost-effective solutions adapted to local requirements.
According to Naidoo, by providing partners with the tools they need to create better, more inclusive solutions, the approach promotes digital transformation across the continent, making technology more accessible, relevant, and future-ready.
He explained: “Southern Africa presents a compelling opportunity for Lenovo due to its rapid digital adoption, growing demand for smart devices, and increasing investment in infrastructure and education.
“The region’s appetite for innovation, across both consumer and commercial sectors aligns perfectly with Lenovo’s mission to deliver smarter technology for all. This demand, combined with a youthful population and expanding tech ecosystems, makes Southern Africa a strategic growth market.”
He underlined that Southern Africa's digital infrastructure is insufficient, notably in terms of bandwidth and connectivity, which has an impact on key aspects of digital transformation such as cloud adoption, remote work, and digital learning.
Expanding on the plan, he stated that Lenovo is committed to providing solutions that solve this discrepancy while also expanding its reach in both established and emerging markets.
“Lenovo is focused on delivering solutions that are optimised for low-bandwidth environments, including lightweight cloud-ready devices and hybrid infrastructure models that can operate effectively in constrained settings,” he said.
Another lingering challenge is the shortage of advanced digital skills, which according to Naidoo, limits the pace at which organisations can adopt and manage new technologies.
He commented: “Lenovo is actively working to close this gap through partner training programs, certification initiatives, and educational collaborations that help build local capacity and digital fluency.”
The Naidoo stressed the company’s plans to expand by continuously looking to engage with new partners who align with the vision of delivering smarter technology.
“As digital transformation accelerates across the region, we see significant opportunities to grow our footprint in both established and emerging markets. This includes expanding into underserved areas, supporting new verticals, and enabling access to advanced solutions through flexible models,” he concluded.
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