Kunle Awosika to lead Microsoft's Africa Transformation Office

Microsoft has appointed Kunle Awosika as the new MD of the group's Africa Transformation Office.

The tech firm said Awosika is a Microsoft veteran and Africa expert with more than 22 years' experience working in multiple countries across the continent.

He replaces Wael Elkabbany who is stepping into a new role heading up the Africa Regional Cluster.

Awosika was one of the three pioneer team members from when Microsoft opened its Nigeria office, and has performed various roles in the company, including enterprise business director and country manager at Microsoft Kenya and director of small and medium corporates for Microsoft emerging markets.

Microsoft said that in his previous roles he helped introduce transformational technology opportunities to a wide range of organizations in both the public and private sectors.

"I look forward to playing a role in unlocking Africa's potential as the ATO develops and steers strategic partnerships with governments, international organizations and partners to accelerate digital transformation agendas and fuel a knowledge-based economy," Awosika said about his new role.

"I am passionate about the incredible potential Africa has to become a truly connected continent that exports digital goods and services to the rest of the world," he added.

Transforming Africa

The ATO was launched in 2021 and is focused on enabling growth and fueling investment in four essential development areas: digital infrastructure, training, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and startups.

"Understanding that these ambitious goals cannot be achieved alone, strategic partnerships with governments, international organizations, multinationals, and African enterprises will accelerate investments in Africa and increase the continent's export of digital services," Microsoft said.

Since its inception, the ATO has spearheaded initiatives and strategic partnerships across Africa to build digital infrastructure, enable small and medium enterprises with digital capabilities, support innovative startups and train the current and future workforce.

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*Top image is of Kunle Awosika, the new MD of Microsoft's Africa Transformation Office. (Source: Microsoft).