Microsoft launched the Windows PC Affordability in Africa Initiative

Have you ever been to at an event and while the speaker is doing the PowerPoint presentation a message pop up “This computer is not running genuine Windows”?  

Well Microsoft is trying to fix the issue of the fake or cracked version of the Windows.  This week in South Africa Microsoft launched the Windows PC Affordability in Africa Initiative. A  programme that aims to reduce the prevalence of Microsoft software piracy in Africa’s emerging markets. To implement the Initiative, the organisation is working with its major PC partners, Acer, Asus, Dell, Intel, Lenovo, SMD Technologies and Mustek to improve the uptake and affordability of genuine software across the continent. 

Microsoft is trying to Provide consumers with an enhanced, authentic experience which they believe only comes with the genuine software.  When comes to Africa the biggest challenge is usually the cost of the devices and the awareness. And those are some of the questions that I will be exploring in the coming days.

During the launch Deniz Ozen, Regional General Manager, Consumer and Device Sales, Microsoft Middle East & Africa said  “As per our estimates, only a third of PCs being shipped into Africa include genuine software. Because of this, data breaches and malware attacks have increased significantly, resulting in loss of important data and decreased productivity,” s

“At Lenovo, we want to build smarter technology that will equip us with the right tools to improve our lives and the way we work in order to make an impact in the world we live in. We believe that smarter technology can solve problems, create opportunities and transform the way we all live, learn and work. The Windows PC Affordability in Africa Initiative is aligned with our Smarter Technology for All vision which aims to deliver meaningful impact through technology and create a diverse and dynamic world that enhances the human experience. Our partnership with Microsoft allows us to leverage the best in class software to create highly productive IT environments that can help businesses and consumers achieve true innovation through the use of genuine products that do not compromise the security, reliability or efficiency of any of our devices,” said Shashank Sharma, Executive Director and General Manager, Middle East, Turkey and Africa, Lenovo.

In its June 2018 report, The Software Alliance reported that the overall rate of pirated software across the Middle East and Africa was 56 percent, the region also has several countries that rate as the highest users of unlicensed software with Libya and Zimbabwe tipping the scale at 90 and 89 percent respectively. Pirated software is often installed without the end user’s knowledge, and it is those users who suffer the consequences including lost data and unusable PCs. 

‘’Through the Windows PC Affordability in Africa Initiative, we aim to educate consumers on the risks of using pirated software, and to work with our PC ecosystem partners including Acer, Asus, Dell, Intel, Lenovo, Mustek and SMD to make Genuine Windows 10 PCs more affordable across Africa,” said Bradley Hopkinson, Vice President, Consumer & Device Sales, Microsoft. 

Of the initiative, Dave Brooke, Vice President, Client Solutions Group, Dell Technologies, CEE & MERAT commented, “It’s easy to take devices for granted in the digital revolution. But without people, there is no revolution and without the right devices, they can’t participate in it. The Windows PC Affordability in Africa Initiative can help close the digital divide and put that power into the hands of those whose lives will be transformed the most. Dell Technologies strives to close this digital gap through sharing understanding around different device and technology ecosystems and enhancing the value created by them. “

Kennedy Kachwanya1087 Posts

--- Kennedy Kachwanya is a technology blogger interested in mobile phones both smart and dumb, mobile apps, mobile money, social media, startups ecosystem and digital Savannah. New media must not forget the strength of old tech.

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