Microsoft Announces New Partnerships in Support of Africa's Social and Economic GrowthCollaboration with the European Union and an agreement with the Government of Angola foster ICT best practices in Africa. OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso — 21 April 2008 — Today Microsoft Corp chief executive officer Steve Ballmer announced a new partnership with the government of Angola and closer collaboration with the European Union (EU) to accelerate Africa’s social and economic development at the second annual African Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Best Practices Forum.
Organised in partnership with the government of Burkina Faso and the EU, the forum brings high-level officials in the public sector, multilateral and non-governmental organisations, and business leaders together to discuss how ICT can help foster more efficient and transparent public services and development across the continent. “During the next 10 years, a new wave of technology innovations will make computing more affordable, more powerful and more accessible than ever,” Ballmer said. “These advances will make it possible to deliver the benefits of information technology much more broadly across Africa. At Microsoft, we are committed to working in close partnership with African governments, international organisations, nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) and others to facilitate e-government initiatives, promote technology access and capacity building, and share regional and global best practices.” Through its Unlimited Potential commitment, and in support of the UN’s Millennium Development Goals, the partnerships Microsoft announced today will accelerate the adoption of relevant, affordable and accessible technology in both the public and private sector. The partners will combine their respective expertise in development and technology to develop projects and solutions applicable across Africa. The government of Angola and Microsoft have expanded their local strategic partnership to provide secure and accessible ICT to the government and the people of Angola. This includes a commercial enterprise agreement, as well as a commitment to implement technology-access, e-government, skills development, digital inclusion and digital literacy programmes. “The Government is clear that information and communication technology — when implemented in ways that are locally relevant — can help enhance the services we deliver to the people of Angola,” said Professor Pedro Teta, Honorable Vice-Minister of Science and Technology, Angola. “It can improve communications, ensure transparency and reduce costs. It can also support social and economic development, stimulate our private sector, and help our local industries to be even more competitive. Considering the current growth rates of our economy and our desire to embrace technology in its many different forms, partnerships like the one signed today with Microsoft are significant.” Microsoft was one of the first companies to join the EU-Africa Business Forum when it was launched in November 2006 by Louis Michel, European Commissioner responsible for Development and Humanitarian Aid. Microsoft’s chairman for Africa, Dr Cheick Modibo Diarra, has chaired the ICT working group since the EU-Africa Business Forum’s inception. He was recently appointed as co-chair with Sir John Grant, the president (Europe) of BHP Billiton, of the next EU-Africa Business Forum, which supports the NEPAD eSchools initiative. At the ICT Best Practices event, the EU is supporting the attendance of NGOs, and small and medium-sized enterprises from across Africa — the intention being to develop the dialogue between public and private stakeholders and foster concrete plans for best practices implementation programmes. “We should not forget that investment in ICT can lead to major advances in reaching the UN’s Millennium Development Goals,” Michel said. “My objective, and the goal of the European Commission, is to help bridge the digital divide in all corners of Africa and to integrate the African economy into the global market. I’d like to thank and commend the government of Burkina Faso and Microsoft for hosting the ICT Best Practices Forum towards this shared aim.”
To enable African governments and citizens to share best practices and their success stories, Burkina Faso’s Ministry of Technology has officially launched the ICT Best Practices website. The initiative, spearheaded by Dr Diarra and constructed by Microsoft Gold Certified Partner Softnet Burkina SA, presents an interactive database of information submitted by public sector agencies and non-governmental organisations throughout Africa on a pan-African website. The site can be found at http://www.africaictbestpractices.net.
About the 2008 African ICT Best Practices Forum
The second annual African ICT Best Practices Forum in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso brings together African governments and organisations from across the region to share their own specific experiences and demonstrate practical examples of successful technology solutions in their respective countries. Focused this year on effective partnerships to promote e-government in Africa, the ICT Best Practices Forum is an initiative of Microsoft, organised in partnership with the Government of Burkina Faso with support from the European Union.
About Unlimited Potential
Microsoft, through its Unlimited Potential vision, is committed to making technology more affordable, relevant and accessible for the 5 billion people around the world who do not yet enjoy its benefits. The company aims to do so by helping to transform education and foster a culture of innovation, and through these means enable better jobs and opportunities. By working with governments, intergovernmental organisations, nongovernmental organisations and industry partners, Microsoft hopes to reach its first major milestone — to reach the next 1 billion people who are not yet realising the benefits of technology — by 2015.
More information on Unlimited Potential and Microsoft’s efforts in emerging segments is available at http://www.microsoft.com/unlimitedpotential.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realise their full potential.
About Microsoft EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa)
Microsoft has operated in EMEA since 1982. In the region Microsoft employs more than 16,000 people in over 64 subsidiaries, delivering products and services in more than 139 countries and territories.
######### This material is for informational purposes only. Microsoft Corp disclaims all warranties and conditions with regard to use of the material for other purposes. Microsoft Corp shall not, at any time, be liable for any special, direct, indirect or consequential damages, whether in an action of contract, negligence or other action arising out of or in connection with the use or performance of the material. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting any kind of warranty. Microsoft PR Contacts Microsoft EMEA Response Centre
E-mail:emearesponse@waggeneredstrom.com Note to editors
If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft in EMEA, please visit http://www.microsoft.com/emea or the EMEA Press Centre at http://www.microsoft.com/emea/presscentre. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at the time of publication, but may since have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact the appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/emea/presscentre/contactus.mspx.
If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft Corp, please visit the Microsoft web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass on Microsoft's corporate information pages.
| 
