|
|
Africa: Computer giant, Microsoft pledges cheap computers
Mon. June 11, 2007 12:39 pm.- By Bonny Apunyu. -
(SomaliNet) Microsoft Inco, the World`s computer giant, has said it will finance a programme of shipping and distributing millions of refurbished cheap computers to Africa in the coming seven years or so.
Microsoft Africa Chairman Dr. Cheick Diarra revealed the the scheme on Thursday and had sought the agency of United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) to implement the programme.
According to reports, the scheme will first start as a pilot project in Uganda, and after two or so years, Microsoft would rollover the vision to other African countries.
By 2015 Microsoft estimates that about a billion computers would have been disposed off from the richer world, and so would wish to ship most of those toAfrica, refurbish them right on the continent and sell them cheaply to marginalised people of Africa.
UNIDO and Microsoft signed new partnership agreement and all claimed were officially committed to solving one of Africa?s roots to poverty, where SMEs are hardly supported by ICTs.
“Access to affordable hard and softwares will reduce Africa`s digital divide and through use of refurbished computers and eventually disposing them off in an environmentally friendly manner” Diarra said.
Dr. Kandeh Yumkella, UNIDO Director General said Ugandawas chosen as a pilot point because some entrepreneurs down there had already established basic computer refurbishment infrastructure and skills, the reason why UNIDO wants to capitalise on that.
Microsoft Senior Vice President Orlando Ayalla mentioned computer refurbishment skills development in Africa as one of the potential positive spillover effects of the project, while schools and healthcare centres would get access to cheap computers.
Orlando estimated that unit price of such refurbished computers might range at between USD70-80, based on current global retail prices.
No deadlines were fixed to the Ugandan pilot phase, nor were any official committal to actual total costs of the project.
The Microsoft initiative was announced as a parallel activity during the ongoing ICT Best Practices Forum in Africa, co-sponsored by the Microsoft.
During his keynote address, Burkina Faso`s President Blaise Compaore challenged African public and private sector to invest in broadband technologies as the surest way of efficient deployment of ICTs for sound economic and social development in Africa.-Guardian.
News Category: Africa
Latest Headlines
|
News 
