Microsoft Names Director of New Office for “African Transformation”

Microsoft, the global tech giant, is establishing the Africa Transformation Office as part of doubling its investment on the continent, as well as an effort to continue to enable “African-led for Africa” ??digital transformation.

The company has also announced that the Africa Transformation Office (ATO) will be led by new Managing Director (MD) Wael Elkabbany. In a statement, Microsoft says that under Elkabbany’s leadership, the ATO will partner with public and private organizations to empower millions of Africans and foster economic prosperity.

Wael Elkabbany, MD of Microsoft’s Africa Transformation Office. Elkabbany is no longer a business sales leader for the company in the Middle East and Africa, and previously held positions with British Telecom and other leading companies in the region. Hailing from Egypt, he has a B.Sc. in communication engineering and postgraduate studies in corporate governance, international trade and financial planning. “We have been present in Africa for 30 years, with important investments that have tangibly impacted the economic growth of the continent. Now is the time for us to increase this investment and play a bigger role in enabling transformation and economic prosperity, ”says Microsoft Corporate Vice President and President of the Middle East and Africa, Samer Abu-Ltaif.
“With his experience driving cloud adoption at scale and his deep understanding of Africa, Wael Elkabbany was the ideal choice to lead our new digital engagement strategy.”

The Elkabbany team will focus on enabling growth and driving investment in four essential development areas: digital infrastructure, skills, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and startups. Realizing that these ambitious goals cannot be achieved alone, the ATO will seek strategic alliances with African governments, international organizations, multinationals and companies that will accelerate investments in Africa and increase the export of digital services from the continent.

According to Microsoft, there is a pressing need to adopt digital platforms to accelerate Africa’s economic growth. This means investment in network infrastructure and high-speed access solutions, along with an intentional focus on regulatory and business reforms. Innovation in cloud services will enable Africans to better participate in the global digital economy; However, these opportunities bring challenges that must be addressed to unlock the continent’s full digital potential.

“While the African opportunity is immense, the challenges are complex and no single company or government can solve them alone. We work across sectors, technologies and borders to foster partnerships and develop solutions that have a lasting impact. Microsoft is committed to rethinking how and why we develop digital solutions and strategies to better serve Africa’s needs, and I am excited about the opportunity to help build a truly connected continent, ”concludes Elkabbany.