Semiconductor giant Intel has chosen Kenya as the first country in Africa that will get an investment boost from its global Software and Services Group (SSG). The investment will include the creation of programmes to help Kenyan software developers.
Intel will provide developers with design tools, resources and consulting and will this year sponsor three Kenyan technology start-ups for an online training and mentorship programme conducted by University of California (Berkeley) faculty members and Silicon Valley entrepreneurs.
The US company says that over the next six months it hopes to reach more than 400 developers and facilitate the development of 100 new applications running on phones and tablets powered by Intel technology.
The new division will be led by Agatha Gikunda, the newly appointed head of Intel SSG in East Africa.
“We are very excited about the growing developer engagement in Africa and seek to increase collaborations with tech hubs, independent software vendors and universities,” says Intel East Africa GM Danie Steyn in a statement.
Intel says it intends collaborating with Strathmore University and the University of Nairobi to provide resources in the universities’ hardware labs, build a student developer partner programme and integrate high-performance computing into the university curriculum.
Also, through a programme with iHub and m:lab, Intel SSG will provide training to developers, allowing them to create and port Android-based apps on Intel architecture. On a quarterly basis, Intel will host intensive coaching sessions for developers and upcoming tech entrepreneurs.
Intel SSG will give Kenyan developers access to more than 20 000 independent software vendors worldwide through the Intel Developer Zone, a collaborative online application and software development community.
The company says it’s also keen, through its Intel Capital arm, to make investments in the region. Already, Intel Capital has bought stakes in Altech in South Africa and Rancard in Ghana. — (c) 2013 NewsCentral Media
