Business
Otema Yirenkyi becomes Microsoft’s first female country manager in Africa
Otema Yirenkyi
Otema Yirenkyi, has been appointed as Microsoft’s first female country manager in Africa to head up the company’s investment in the rapidly growing west African country of Ghana.
The appointment of Yirenkyi, a tech professional with over 14 years of experience in the sector, signifies a continued dedication to the long-term growth opportunities in the country.
“We have seen tremendous growth in broadband availability and internet penetration in Ghana, as well as the introduction of newer devices such as tablets and smartphones, which have fundamentally changed how consumers experience and use technology,” said Yirenkyi.
With a current mobile penetration rate at an estimated 112 percent, these numbers are the highest in Africa, placing Ghana 49th globally, and amongst the leaders on the African continent according to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). This has also made Ghana one of Microsoft’s critical investment markets in Africa.
Yirenkyi, has previously held several leadership positions in the tech sector including director of Southern Africa at IBM. Her focus in Ghana is to continue improving access to technology, skills development opportunities and resources.
Over the years and through a number of programs, Microsoft has trained 15, 000 teachers, impacted over 1 million students, created over 1, 800 jobs, and supported 35 successful startups in Ghana. The company’s flagship African investment and growth initiative, Microsoft – 4Afrika which was launched in February this year to actively engage in Africa’s economic development and has further entrenched the company’s commitment to Ghana ensuringthat technology plays a key role in the economy.
“This is an exciting time when the country is rapidly transforming, both economically and socially,” Yirenkyi says. “I hope to inspire a culture of innovation driven by technology and I am excited to be leading Microsoft’s era of expansion in Ghana.”
“We are delighted to have Otema Yirenkyi on board in this critically important role,” said Hennie Loubser, General Manager of West, East, Central Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands. “She has the track record and credentials to help grow this dynamic market and she is deeply committed to Africa’s economic development.”
One of Microsoft’s core projects in the country is its partnership with the Ghanaian Ministry of Education, to set up tech hubs in local schools and communities to accelerate digital literacy across the country. Falling under a regional project called Badiliko, 17 digital hubs have been created in Ghana and Microsoft has trained 26 local Master Trainers who are serving as Digital Ambassadors and School Leader Facilitators in the hubs, helping over 1,700 people in Ghana become trained to date.
Source: CIO East Africa