Computing solutions company Intel announced the launch of its Software and Services Group (SSG) in South Africa, which will see Intel’s Developer Zone made available locally.

The Intel Developer Zone is a global programme that enables developers to engage with their peers to develop, market and sell their software.

The Intel Developer Zone programme forms part of the company’s SSG. SSG is a worldwide provider of software products and services, design resources, technical expertise and consulting,”

Speaking at a media briefing on Tuesday, Alexey Igelstrom, Intel general manager for software services in EMEA said his company first had a pilot launch of its software services in Nairobi, Kenya.

According to Igelstrom South Africa’s software ecosystem as well as the country’s upbeat and dynamic economy made sense to launch the software service group in the southern African nation.

“South Africa has a very interesting, vibrant and innovative ecosystem of different developers and companies that produce great innovation,” he said.

Igelstrom also noted that South African developers face a number of challenges such as small venture capital, a lack of mobile programming training and courses at universities.

A statement notes that the Intel Developer Zone will make it easy for the software ecosystem to gain access to Intel expertise, knowledge, and technology in an effort to facilitate the development of innovative software and apps.

Mohammed Fareed, SSG business development manager at Intel South Africa said, “Intel South Africa recognises the rapid growth and demand of evolving technology, the demand of customer expectation vs. experience and the need for organisations to create best-selling software and apps that not only change lives, but have a lasting impact on communities.”