Business software firm Sage Africa has officially announced the opening of its office in Lagos, Nigeria.

The official opening comes after Sage implemented a dedicated sales resource in the country last year that resulted in sales increasing “three-fold” in the country, the managing director of Sage ERP Africa Jeremy Waterman told ITWeb Africa earlier this year.

In a statement, Sage says the newly established office comprises of three product suites: Sage ERP, Sage HR Africa and Sage Pastel Accounting

Sage targets companies in the small to upper mid-market with its business and human resource management software.

“Sage is already an established brand with a strong presence in Africa and establishing another local office, in addition to the successful Kenyan operation, is an important step in our growth strategy and to enhance our global footprint,” says Ivan Epstein chief executive officer of Sage Africa, Australia, Middle East and Asia (AAMEA).

“Although each product has a very specific focus, ensuring for a diversified client-focused product map, the team will actively work together to ensure for an even stronger collective position on the continent,” says Epstein.

In a statement, Sage says the African landscape “typically comprises of businesses that are no larger than upper mid-market in size as measured by global criteria.”

Jeremy Waterman, managing director of Sage ERP Africa, says, “We have been selling and implementing Accpac (recently rebranded to Sage 300 ERP) into the English speaking parts of Africa for more than 25 years and are currently doing business in more than 20 countries.”

“Traditionally these companies had to choose between ERP solutions designed and priced for large global enterprises or solutions designed for smaller companies. The introduction of Sage ERP X3 into Africa provides a perfect fit for these larger mid-tier businesses,” Waterman says.

Meanwhile, the company says that its Sage Pastel Accounting’s focus in West Africa is also on the small to medium sized (SME) market, through its flagship product Sage Evolution.

Rutendo Hwindingwi, divisional manager of Sage Pastel Accounting, adds the company is experiencing “substantial growth in the West African region fuelled by a number of large-scale ICT projects and significant offshore investment.”

“The local office will enable us to be closer to clients and reinforces our existing channel model,” says Hwindingwi.