UNITED States of America (USA) based multinational technology and
consulting corporation, International Business Machine (IBM) has
predicted that cloud technology adoption, which has reached a tipping
point in Africa, is expected to double in Nigeria to about 80 per cent
by 2015.
Cloud technology or computing is a phrase used to describe a variety of computing concepts that involve a large number of computers connected through a real-time communication network such as the Internet.
In science, cloud computing is a synonym for distributed computing over a network, and means the ability to run a program or application on many connected computers at the same time.
Speaking in Lagos, at the commissioning of new IBM innovation centre in Nigeria, the Country General Manager, West Africa, Taiwo Otiti said the new facility is designed to accelerate innovation for the country and West African business and IT skills.
Otiti explained that using the centre, clients, IT partners, developers, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and academics can now access enhanced cloud capabilities and extensive big data and analytics resources.
According to IBM, adoption of cloud technology in Africa has reached a tipping point and in
Nigeria alone, cloud usage is expected to more than double to 80 percent of businesses in the next year, adding that the growing proliferation of mobile phones and tablets is accelerating the opportunity to interpret data patterns to anticipate needs and deliver improved services.
IBM noted that as the local demand for these types of technologies and skills increases,
Africa is quickly moving to the center of global attention as the last big emerging market of the current economic era.
Already, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) informed that sub-Saharan Africa is set to be the world's second fastest growing region with projected economic growth of over six percent this year.
To take advantage of this explosive growth, Otitu said the new centre will focus on providing solutions that use Big Data & Analytics and cloud technologies to solve key local challenges such as improving government services, digitising banking services and enhancing customer centricity in telecommunications.
According to him, clients will be able to participate in virtual and in-person training, test out new products, network with peers from around the world, and receive mentoring and guidance from IT and business experts.
For example, he said the centre would provide clients hands-on access to cloud-based industry solutions such as IBM Intelligent Operations designed to provide cities, governments and utilities with a central command center for the use of predictive analytics to enhance efficiency and manage all their operations.
"Our investment in this centre is in line with our strategy to help fuel growth in Nigeria's IT sector and to support the use of advanced technology service delivery for the public sector and commercial business growth, particularly expansion in West Africa. IBM Innovation centres are designed to help clients envisage their future, illustrated using IBM social, mobile, analytics and cloud solutions, combined with industry focused experience and expertise. Through this centre, we will bring the reach of IBM's global capabilities and thought leadership closer to local and regional clients", Otiti stated.
Speaking at the event, Managing Director of Bankers Warehouse Ltd, a non-bank financial services institution, Victor Hammond said, "Innovation has become a key driver of positive change in developed economies, and IBM has blazed the trail once again in this market with its new Innovation centre.
"I foresee this facility becoming a key driver of technology innovation in Nigeria, helping to promote the culture of knowledge incubation and scientific enquiry in all sectors of the national economy."
IBM has been operating in Africa since the 1930's, and today has a direct presence in more than 20 African countries, including: Nigeria, Tanzania, Senegal, South Africa, Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, and Mauritius.
Cloud technology or computing is a phrase used to describe a variety of computing concepts that involve a large number of computers connected through a real-time communication network such as the Internet.
In science, cloud computing is a synonym for distributed computing over a network, and means the ability to run a program or application on many connected computers at the same time.
Speaking in Lagos, at the commissioning of new IBM innovation centre in Nigeria, the Country General Manager, West Africa, Taiwo Otiti said the new facility is designed to accelerate innovation for the country and West African business and IT skills.
Otiti explained that using the centre, clients, IT partners, developers, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and academics can now access enhanced cloud capabilities and extensive big data and analytics resources.
According to IBM, adoption of cloud technology in Africa has reached a tipping point and in
Nigeria alone, cloud usage is expected to more than double to 80 percent of businesses in the next year, adding that the growing proliferation of mobile phones and tablets is accelerating the opportunity to interpret data patterns to anticipate needs and deliver improved services.
IBM noted that as the local demand for these types of technologies and skills increases,
Africa is quickly moving to the center of global attention as the last big emerging market of the current economic era.
Already, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) informed that sub-Saharan Africa is set to be the world's second fastest growing region with projected economic growth of over six percent this year.
To take advantage of this explosive growth, Otitu said the new centre will focus on providing solutions that use Big Data & Analytics and cloud technologies to solve key local challenges such as improving government services, digitising banking services and enhancing customer centricity in telecommunications.
According to him, clients will be able to participate in virtual and in-person training, test out new products, network with peers from around the world, and receive mentoring and guidance from IT and business experts.
For example, he said the centre would provide clients hands-on access to cloud-based industry solutions such as IBM Intelligent Operations designed to provide cities, governments and utilities with a central command center for the use of predictive analytics to enhance efficiency and manage all their operations.
"Our investment in this centre is in line with our strategy to help fuel growth in Nigeria's IT sector and to support the use of advanced technology service delivery for the public sector and commercial business growth, particularly expansion in West Africa. IBM Innovation centres are designed to help clients envisage their future, illustrated using IBM social, mobile, analytics and cloud solutions, combined with industry focused experience and expertise. Through this centre, we will bring the reach of IBM's global capabilities and thought leadership closer to local and regional clients", Otiti stated.
Speaking at the event, Managing Director of Bankers Warehouse Ltd, a non-bank financial services institution, Victor Hammond said, "Innovation has become a key driver of positive change in developed economies, and IBM has blazed the trail once again in this market with its new Innovation centre.
"I foresee this facility becoming a key driver of technology innovation in Nigeria, helping to promote the culture of knowledge incubation and scientific enquiry in all sectors of the national economy."
IBM has been operating in Africa since the 1930's, and today has a direct presence in more than 20 African countries, including: Nigeria, Tanzania, Senegal, South Africa, Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, and Mauritius.