Computer services giant IBM has opened its first office in Luanda, Angola as part of a plan to expand into new markets in Africa. It recently opened offices in Senegal and Tanzania.

IBM says it now has a direct presence is more than 20 African countries, including SA, Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia and Algeria.

The company already has a contract with one of Angola’s big banks – it doesn’t name the institution – to modernise its core banking systems. It is also working with other financial institutions and energy companies.

The Luanda office is part of IBM’s central Africa operations. IBM has supplied products and services to central Africa since the 1940s and IBM equipment was installed in Angola by Benguela Railways in 1955.

The former Portuguese colony has enjoyed explosive economic growth in recent years, following the cessation of civil war in 2002. It has vast mineral and oil reserves. In the past decade, the country’s economy has grown an average of 11,1%/year. — Staff reporter, TechCentral