Tech firms Microsoft and Cisco have thrown their weight behind Nigeria’s Tech Experience Centre, scheduled for launch on 1 October 2020.

Managing Director, Microsoft Nigeria, Akin Banuso said: “The Tech Experience Centre will play an extremely strategic role in enabling us in Nigeria to build and work with our customers to envision solutions that will move us forward to the future we require. TD Africa is a key partner for Microsoft in Nigeria to enable us reach the breadth of the market.”

Banuso added: “We expect to have visitors from all categories of our customer segments, from public sector to enterprise and other corporates as well as small and medium-sized customers.”

Cisco collaboration

General Manager, West Africa, Cisco, Olakunle Oloruntimehin said the initiative is expected to generate “innumerable positive outcomes” for the Nigerian economy.

“Nigeria can expect Cisco to leverage this centre as part of our ongoing efforts in this region and globally to accelerate an inclusive future for all. Cisco people, technology and related resources delivered at this centre can be expected to ensure the interventions that will predictably deliver social, commercial and economic outcomes for Nigeria and the West Africa region. Our focus on partnerships and collaboration will include the space for SMME support, building a community that can be leveraged to improve the wealth of Nigeria,” said Oloruntimehin.

He added that the initiative will encourage local IT participation and the chance to have Nigeria’s voice heard in the global technology race.

“The Tech Experience Centre provides the ideal platform for collaboration amongst global technology players in a melting pot of sorts. The outcome of this should provide for local IT and technology industry participation and the incentives required to leverage the visible talent and opportunity potential in Nigeria. Innovation is global and the centre provides the interventions for Nigeria’s contribution.

‘‘Also, the democratisation of technology outcomes should rank high as one of the impacts that this centre will deliver and by extension the provision of access to the evolving global technology landscape. My belief remains that access to education and the Internet, including the inherent opportunities for knowledge sharing, collaboration and innovation are the two most important equalisers in life.’’