Microsoft has unveiled the Advisory Council for the 4Afrika initiative. The advisory council will be external and are tasked with guiding strategic investments undertaken by the Microsoft 4Afrika Initiative across the continent as well as ensuring 4Afrika is closely aligned to broad African development goals.
His Excellency Benjamin Mkapa, former president of the United Republic of Tanzania is the board chair, and Mteto Nyati, managing director of Microsoft South Africa, serves as the vice chair.
The company chose to form the advisory to solicit external input and guidance form a respected group of regional influencers as well as help ensure the initiative meets its critical goals.
Other members of the 4Afrika Advisory Council include Juliana Rotich, executive director for Ushahidi and senior TED fellow from Kenya; Hanan Abdelmeguid, CEO of Orascom Telecom Ventures in Egypt; Bright Simons, social innovator, entrepreneur, writer and researcher in Ghana; Florence Iwegbue, co-founder LiveWello LLC in Nigeria; Marieme Jamme, Senegalese-born and London-based CEO, blogger, technologist and social entrepreneur; Luís Lélis, executive director at Banco Angolano de Investimentos in Angola; Phuti Mahanyele, CEO of Shanduka Group in South Africa; Richard Attias, founder of The New York Forum and Moroccan events producer; Benjamin Mophatlane, CEO of Business Connexion in South Africa; and Monica Musonda, CEO of Java Foods and board member of the Bank of Zambia. Louis Otieno, director of Legal and Corporate affairs for Microsoft Africa, will serve as the council secretary.
“I am deeply honored to chair the 4Afrika Advisory Council and to represent this prestigious group of council members because we all believe deeply in Microsoft 4Afrika’s mission to help Africa improve its global competitiveness,” Mkapa said. “Together with the Microsoft team, we look forward to helping to grow African leaders, encourage and support African businesses and highlight African innovation here on the continent and on the world stage.”
The council first meeting was held in Dar es asalaam on 4th October and will have such meetings twice annually and will also hold regionally focused meetings at other times in the year.