Tech giant, Microsoft, has unveiled its Africa Development Centre or ADC, an investment estimated at $200 million in Nigeria’s commercial city, Lagos.
The ADC, a premier engineering hub of the tech giant in Africa, was created for African industry leaders to develop local solutions with global scalability, provide jobs for local people, and enhance tech innovations in the continent.
Speaking at the unveiling, Microsoft’s identity corporate vice president, Joy Chik, said that the company had been closely working with governments, technology partners and universities in the country.
Microsoft opened its subsidiary in Nigeria in 2000 and went on to create its “For Africa Initiative” in 2013, which was designed to help Africa strengthen its technology infrastructure and get more African consumers online.
Chik said that the ADC in Nigeria and Kenya would serve the African market and the entire world with innovative technologies.
“We hired engineers for artificial intelligence, machine learning and mixed reality, and we committed to investing $100 million in the first five years of operations,” she said. “The ADC is a place for world-class engineers to create products and services that would power the future global economy.
She said the company had surpassed 500 engineers planned to be hired by 2023 to work across identity, mixed reality, Microsoft 365, and data services.
The ADCs, according to her, have over 120 engineers and more than 200 employees, noting that the firm would continue to focus on students and community engagements while empowering the African workforce and organizations with relevant tech and digital competencies.
According to the managing director of the ADC, Gafar Lawal, the centre, which has gulped $200 million in investment, would reposition Africa digitally.
Unveiling the centre, the minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, appreciated Microsoft for the centre and called on other private sector operators to support the government’s drive for a digital economy.
“I can say that the ADC is in line with FG’s digital economy project. This would help the government to deliver a digital economy for Nigeria,” he said, adding that Nigeria’s strategic advantage in Africa made her a choice investment destination in Africa.
Microsoft has launched its Africa Development Centre (ADC) in Lagos, Nigeria, marking a $200 million investment aimed at fostering tech innovation and providing jobs. This premier engineering hub is designed to develop local solutions with global reach, enhance tech innovations, and serve the African and global markets.
Joy Chik, Microsoft's Corporate Vice President, outlined the company's collaboration with governments, tech partners, and universities, highlighting that over 500 engineers have been hired, surpassing initial targets. The centre focuses on areas like artificial intelligence, machine learning, mixed reality, and data services.
The ADC initiative, which also includes a centre in Kenya, is part of Microsoft's broader strategy to support Africa’s digital infrastructure and economy. Gafar Lawal, Managing Director of the ADC, emphasized the centre's role in repositioning Africa digitally.
The initiative aligns with Nigeria's digital economy goals, as noted by Isa Pantami, the Nigerian Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, who urged private sector support for the government's digital agenda.
