Global software vendor, Microsoft Corporation, is seeking partnerships with the Kenyan government and learning institutions in a move aimed at boosting penetration of information and communication technology services in Africa while checking against forays by its rivals.
The world’s largest software maker on Wednesday signed agreements with NGOs operating in rural areas, adding to its growing list of partners just months after it struck similar software deals with the Government.
Although Microsoft is looking at bridging the digital divide in African countries such as Kenya by offering free and subsidised products, market players read this as a tactic to grow a critical mass of Windows users from which it expects to generate annual licensing fees.
“Government would be acting as an agent of proprietary software monopolisation which negates the innovation aspirations of Vision 2030. It would also be creating barriers to new expression through new software and solutions creativity. Furthermore, hardware supplied with pre-installed software defeats competitive supply of goods and services intentions of the Act and considering also stated government objectives of efficient utilisation of taxes in public service delivery,” said Alex Gakuru, the chairman of the ICT Consumer’s Association in an online discussion forum.
Business Daily Africa
