IBM grows Mauritius presence

BUSINESS

IBM has expanded its branch office in Port Louis, Mauritius, as part of its African growth plan.

The computing giant reports that this increased presence will strengthen IBM's ability to provide solutions and services to a rapidly expanding base of customers and partners in the region.

IBM says Mauritius has a highly successful and competitive economy with some of the highest growth rates in Africa and an active international export market spanning a diverse range of sectors.

"As Mauritius strives to strengthen its international competitiveness, IBM is experiencing strong demand from the textile, banking, tourism, telecommunications and IT services sectors, which are turning to technology to increase productivity and differentiate offerings," said Takreem El Tohamy, IBM General Manager for Middle East and Africa.

IBM's Mauritius office is part of a broad program of investment that the company is making across Africa through the creation of new facilities, offices, training, staffing and recruitment, sales and marketing and corporate citizenship. The announcement follows the recent news of the opening of IBM's office in Luanda, Angola and gives the company a direct presence in over 20 African countries including South Africa, Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia and Algeria.

"IBM has been present in Africa for over 60 years, but we are now taking our business to the next level in recognition of the huge potential of the African market and the role of smarter systems in transforming business, government and society across the continent," added Takreem El Tohamy.

IBM expects its increased presence in Mauritius and investment in skills to have a positive impact on the local IT market, especially the IT services sector.

"The Mauritian Government recognizes the central role ICT plays in enhancing the country's development and we are working to establish Mauritius as a key exporter of ICT services. We want to position the country as a safe and reliable ICT destination, capitalizing on our bilingual workforce and modern ICT infrastructure, and believe that IBM will strongly support this goal," said the Honourable Tassarajen Pillay Chedumbrum, Minister of information and Communication Technology.

IBM has been present in Mauritius for more than 10 years through its sales team and an established business partner network. Today, IBM's clients on the island also include  Air Mauritius, Bramer Bank, Rogers Group and Mauritius Union Assurance.

Elsewhere in the region, IBM also has locations in the Seychelles and Madagascar through its pan-African partnership with the telecommunications operator Bharti Airtel.