By Olubunmi Adeniyi
Lagos. February 28, 2013: Microsoft Nigeria says it plans to set up an App Factory where local developers will build Windows applications targeted for Nigerians under a broader initiative to grow the local software market. 
Under the plan, Microsoft is partnering the Federal Government of Nigeria to launch an Innovation Centre in the country.
It will also set up an App Factory where Windows Apps will be built by Nigerians for Nigerians and also provide them skills to make them employable, the local subsidiary of the software giant says.
Speaking on the plan, Emmanuel Onyeje, Country Manager Microsoft Anglophone West Africa, urges the developers to create more user-friendly and innovative Apps that will help to enhance users’ experience.
While encouraging the developers to come up with consumable content that people can easily buy into, he notes that Onyeje advises that access, one of the pillars of the 4Afrika Initiative is needed to drive content consumption through devices.
The Microsoft Country Manager adds that the company is focusing on giving people skills for them to employ people or to be employed.
Microsoft Nigeria also says it is pushing programmes to sharpen developers’ skills in using its innovative products and solutions.
The software maker says it recently organised a technology workshop to empower developers in better positioning them within the industry. The program also aims at improving profitability of the developers in their chosen field.
Explaining the rationale for the workshop, Shina Oyetoso, Developer Platform Evangelism Lead, Microsoft Anglophone West Africa says it is part of the Microsoft 4Afrika Initiative geared towards empowering individuals’ innovation for global competitiveness and to educate the developers on how to position their software.
He notes that the Developers Workshop is an offshoot of the Microsoft 4Afrika Initiative launched on February 5, 2012aimed at sowing seeds of growth and investment on the African continent.
Donald Oyeleye, an App developer at Infoware Limited, developers of the Infoware Finance App spoke on apps for the financial industry, explaining that the essence of developing apps is to help users solve specific problems in order to their enhance productivity.
The workshop provided a strong networking platform for developers to interact and leverage on Microsoft products and solutions for effective application development. Participating developers commended the continuous efforts of Microsoft at encouraging technology penetration as well as personal growth.
Oluwayemi Samuel, a Computer Science student at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), one of the attendees says that, “I learnt how to create my own Apps with XAML. I now know more about Windows 8 and Visual Studio 2012 and also how to position my Apps to my target audience.”
Okoh Chukwudumebi, another developer said that, ‘I was introduced to Windows Store applications; I also learnt about how to create Apps that will distinguish me from other developers by ensuring that my Apps offer great value to the user, thanks to Microsoft.”
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