SAP has takes the wraps off a seven-year plan to invest US$500m (about R5,3bn) in Africa, hoping to accelerate its growth across five regions on the continent, including South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya.

Through the long-term investment, the German software maker plans to train up to 10 000 consultants in collaboration with local governments and universities.

SAP has 700 employees in Africa, and will recruit up to 250 more by next year. It will also open offices in Angola and Morocco next year.

SAP president of global customer operations Robert Enslin says the company’s goal is to establish its African region as one of its top five growth markets worldwide. Much of the direct investment will be placed in Africa outside of South Africa.

SAP Africa CEO Pfungwa Serima says focus areas for growth in the countries it has identified include energy and natural resources, the public sector, financial services and telecommunications.

Serima says the company will also focus on small and mid-sized companies, which contribute 40% to Africa’s GDP. It has selected Kenya for its “emerging entrepreneur initiative”. This is due to the strength and potential of the Kenyan market to grow and support a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem, SAP says. — © 2014 NewsCentral Media