Microsoft is all about Moroccan women with new cloud startup academy

Blazing through Africa and pretty much doing its thing, Microsoft 4Afrika, in conjunction with the Association of Women Entrepreneurs in Morocco (AFEM), and INWI launched a Cloud Startup Academy in Morocco.

The idea around the Cloud Startup Academy is to build a project focused at female entrepreneurs in Morocco and help them launch innovative startups, based on the latest Cloud technology.

According to the programme organisers, 50 Moroccan women will be selected, where they will receive training that includes, on Cloud computing and communication technology. Particular emphasis will be placed on strengthening skills related to communication, technology, entrepreneurship, marketing and even startup management.

“Through the Cloud Startup Academy, Microsoft, AFEM and INWI will help 50 young Moroccan women create their own Cloud-based startups,” says 4Afrika.

The programme lasts six-month and at the end of it the 50 women should be be able to launch a startup that specialises in Cloud solutions. The startups will also benefit from Microsoft’s Cloud and INWI Telecom POS solutions as well as Windows 8 devices.

“We are proud to announce the launch of The Cloud Startup Academy for Moroccan SMEs: a project that aims to foster entrepreneurship and create jobs by unlocking the power of Cloud Computing. In an increasingly interconnected world, this is the kind of high-impact approach whose ripple effects will be felt across the entire ecosystem,” said Ali Faramawy, Microsoft Vice President, Middle East & Africa.

Microsoft 4Afrika says this launch forms a part of its broader initiatives. Launched in February 2013, the Initiative allows businesses on the African continent to contribute more actively to Africa’s economic growth. According to the initiative it hopes to equip young Africans with tens of millions of intelligent devices, put one million African SMEs online, improve the skills of young people in the active population, support graduates and help place 75% of these graduates in jobs by 2016.

“The goal of 4Afrika in innovation is to bring to market and help African startups monetize their innovations and ideas. As part of the initiative, and Microsoft’s Devices & Services strategy, the Cloud Startup Academy will help boost the productivity and competitiveness of women entrepreneurs in Morocco, hence accelerating the region’s economic growth,” said Fernando de Sousa, General Manager of Microsoft 4Afrika