Technology solutions provider Cisco Systems Incorporated has launched a new partnership programme to reduce skills shortage in Africa’s telecoms industry.
The programme to be based at a multi-million shilling facility dubbed Global Talent Acceleration Programme in Johannesburg will train network engineers to enable Africa’s information technology industry keep pace with growing demand for telecoms services.
Cisco is one of a growing number of global technology giants to create specialised solutions for the African market.
This shift in focus has seen the technology giants move away from pursuing purely commercial interests in the developing world to social investments that enable them to enrich the technology skills of the target population.
Microsoft Corporation, Google Incorporated, and Intel Corporation have already launched partnership programmes with African governments to provide subsidised or free products and courses to schools and other institutions.
The South African facility, which will initially host 16 students is Cisco’s latest addition to its 80 networking academies on the continent. Company officials said it was responding to the growing demand for technology engineers as demand for telecommunication services grows.
“Demand for technical talent has exceeded supply in Africa and could threaten the growth of the IT sector,” said Phil Wolfenden, senior director of CISCO Advanced Services in emerging markets.
“GTAP is expected to support e-government applications and private sector players in addressing the shortfall”
Kenya is one of the countries that have had to contend with perennial shortage of telecoms engineers with the universities bearing the blame for failing to offer training that is relevant to the industry’s needs.
