Samsung and Kenyan University Sign Technology Development Deal

Thursday May 19, 2011

Strathmore University in Kenya has signed a three year research and development memorandum of understanding (MoU) with electronics giant Samsung.

The contract will specifically target the development of solutions that fit into the African landscape especially to serve communities that have low power supply and low income.

“We want research to come out of Africa because it is from Africa that they know what the problems are,” said Ntutule Tshenye, Samsung corporate citizenship leader.

Strathmore and other leading institutions like Makerere University’s faculty of computing will in the future attempt to create technology products that are determined by how people live and what their needs are. For instance, equipment that uses less energy or two sim phones that are affordable but also of high quality. According to Samsung officials, Strathmore was chosen for their previous research on computer applications. John Oh Lee, Samsung managing director said the firm will expand the same research projects to Ethiopia, Rwanda, Uganda and Sudan.

During the signing ceremony, Robert Ngeru Samsung’s deputy managing director for Samsung in East and Central Africa signed on behalf of the electronics firm while Prof John Odiambo represented Strathmore University.

Leading corporate giants are now turning to Africa as the next growth hot spot.

because of the potential for demand as the continent per capita income rises.

“This continent can be a continent of innovation,” said George Ferreira, Samsung chief operating officer.

Samsung is doing this under the “Built for Africa” initiative. But the challenge of counterfeits continues to dog real investments in high value products and many times investors opt out because of the loss of value in business.

By David Mugabe: The New Vision Newspaper