(In paragraph 1, corrects Microsoft intends to open application factory not manufacturing plant)

Microsoft, American multinational software corporation, through its African Initiative Program has started setting up application factories across Africa. Ethiopia is also one of the countries where Microsoft is planning to set up application factory for developers through which they can create Windows applications for the Windows 8 or Windows Phone platform.

During the 11th Innovation Africa Digital Summit held the past week in Ethiopia which saw the attendance of some 500 participants form the information communication technology industry, Microsoft has also presented its Africa initiative programs.

Fernando de Sousa, general manager of Microsoft Africa Initiative, told The Reporter that, Microsoft believes it is about time to set up manufacturing plants in Africa and particularly Ethiopia.

“From the communities springs a factory. I think what we have done is to look for the opportunities and we see a community of people in Ethiopia that are writing applications, that are taking technology and trying to build solutions. Being based in East Africa I think helps us create the scale to address a market potential like Ethiopia,” Fernando said.

According to Fernando, Microsoft is focusing in helping small business in Africa to stay connected with the digital world.

Source: The Reporter