Dual-listed IT solutions firm Dimension Data (Didata) on Tuesday announced its arrival into the Nigerian market by opening offices in Lagos and Abuja.
The company will start delivering an enhanced IT offering to the Nigerian markets following the purchase of a 51% stake in Roe Limited, a Nigerian IT solutions and services company, and the launch of Dimension Data Nigeria.
“The Nigerian government will continue to encourage the partnership between the private sector in South Africa and Nigeria. Dimension Data has a lot to offer the Nigerian economy and we will look into ways of tapping into South Africa’s technology base through companies like Dimension Data,” Nigeria’s Vice-President, Nigeria Atiku Abubakar, said.
In addition to some South African firms such as the MTN Group, Calulo and Standard Bank that already operate in Africa’s most-populous nation, Telkom and its 50%-held subsidiary Vodacom are some of the locals seeking entry into what is described as a lucrative market.
Roe’s MD and Didata chairperson Ositah Egbuche said the union of the two firms has resulted in the formation of the largest systems integrator in the West African state.
Didata Nigeria MD David Kruyt said the company’s skills base, in addition to the IT solutions and services that Didata offers, ensures that the firm will be able to provide all companies and organisations establishing themselves in Nigeria with technology solutions that deliver business value.
Egbuche also noted the enormous opportunities that Nigeria presents, adding that the demand for IT solutions from established and newcomers affords Didata Nigeria with the potential for considerable growth.
Roe’s clientele includes oil and gas heavyweights Shell and Chevron and financial institutions such as First Bank of Nigeria, UBA, Africbank and New Nigeria Bank.
The company, which has been operating in that country for nine years, is an accredited partner for Cisco and Microsoft.
Didata was last month, in Canada, named Cisco global partner of the year. — I-Net Bridge