IT giant IBM aims to help SMEs tap technology

By Standard Reporter

IT giant IBM has announced plans to support the growth of innovations in the country.

The multinational corporation said the move would enhance development in the IT sector through equipping SMEs (and start-ups) in the sector with resources and accesses to mentors.

“The IT sector is gearing up for growth in the entire Africa continent and IBM is working with young and innovative smart solutions providers in the country to make Kenya the hub of innovation and Data capacity software development in Africa,” it stated.

Strathmore Business School hosted a team of IT innovation start-ups for a two-day Global Enterprise Mentor workshop that sought to mentor the entrepreneurs through gauging the business viability of the participating start-ups.

Big business

Strathmore University Research Centre has a fund worth $5 million  (Sh430m)to fund climatic projects and 100,000 euros for the SMEs and start-ups. Dr George Njenga, Strathmore University- Deputy Vice Chancellor: Research, said looking into the future of information technology, big business is in data handling.

“Kenya must compete with other African nations in developing suitable data management systems that can handle bulk information that are currently generated by businesses,” he said.

IBM, Africa 2.0 and Tech4Africa have come together to provide Global Entrepreneur Mentor programmes that link IT entrepreneurs with markets, accesses to resources, software training and visibility that guide these entrepreneurs for best solutions in various businesses.

Gloria Powell, IBM Innovation Centre manager, said the objective of the corporation is to foster innovation by linking SMEs and start-ups in IT.