Microsoft furthers Policy Innovation Centre investment through partnership with Dalberg

Microsoft has taken its commitment to digitally transforming the continent one-step further through a partnership with research company, Dalberg which enabled the launch of a Digital Transformation Series which kicked off today.

The series has been created with the purpose of engaging leaders, policy makers, technologists and entrepreneurs through a series of conversations that will aid in deciphering misconceptions and questions that exist around technology policy. In turn it aims to support the design of resilient technology and innovation policy across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Amr Kamel, General Manager, West, East, Central Africa & Indian Ocean Islands, Microsoft notes that for digital transformation in all sectors to be successful, particularly where it pertains to development impact – that strong leadership is required for investing in building capability, resources and focused innovation to drive change.

“The Digital Transformation Series puts into action what we set out to do which is to provide a platform and an environment for policy nurturing, discussion and creation. The notion of the center creating a frontier for Financial inclusion & faster economic growth really looks set to become a reality through this.”

“The Digital Transformation Series puts into action what we set out to do which is to provide a platform and an environment for policy nurturing, discussion and creation. The notion of the center creating a frontier for Financial inclusion & faster economic growth really looks set to become a reality through this.”

Amr Kamel, General Manager, West, East, Central Africa & Indian Ocean Islands, Microsoft

The series will run over the course of 2018 – curating conversations that aim to understand where policy is able to play a role in supporting and accelerating digital innovations that drive inclusive growth for the continent. A variety of topics will be covered – all of which are seen to drive economic and social growth (FSI, healthcare, government and oil and gas).

“The outcomes of topics covered in the series will only compliment what Microsoft has already done in each sector up for discussion. We have a number of solutions that have been subject to great success within each sector.

“For example, within the healthcare sector, Microsoft has introduced care-coordination solutions that enable medical practitioners to communicate with patients, manage and connect to health care providers, and monitor patient progress more effectively. On the financial front, our Multichannel Customer Experience Management solution enables customer experience optimisation by transforming their bank’s omni-channel strategy.”

“Microsoft has also established itself as a leader in assisting governments of all sizes modernise systems and improve citizen services through the power of software, devices and services,” continued Kamel. “Our citizen services solution gives citizens on-demand, omni-channel access to public information while equipping government employees with more efficient tools, advanced analytics and insights to improve citizen services.”

Digital disruption can be seen as one of the most prevalent and crucial conversation on the continent today – through this, there is absolutely no doubt that technology will continue to change the manner in which we live, communicate and work at an unprecedented pace.

“From here out, Microsoft, along with our partners Dalberg and Strathmore University are excited for the impacts these discussions will have in long term,” concludes Kamel.