The partnership between global data storage giants EMC and Technology Distributions (TD), biggest ICT distributors in Sub-Saharan Africa has been hailed as a strategic initiative which will go a long way in positively enhancing the profile of technology distribution and penetration on the continent for the benefit of all.
Making this bold assertion at the official launch of the partnership between both companies on Tuesday, Managing Director, EMC, Levant and Emerging Africa Region, Mr. Nazim Fraijat, posited that the addition of TD to EMC’s Global Business Partner Programme was in line with the organization’s desire to deepen the pace of technological innovation and diffusion in the West African sub-region and on the continent as a whole.
“We are happy to officially welcome Technology Distributions into our Business Partner Programme. Our delight further stems from TD’s status as one of the biggest and most structured ICT distributors in Nigeria and the West African region as a whole.
“In view of our desire to make further in-roads into Sub-Saharan Africa, we are confident that this partnership with TD will undoubtedly accelerate the rate of access to the wide range of innovative solutions that EMC is known for world-wide.”
Also speaking at the launch, General Manager, EMC West Africa, Mr. Nicholas Travers who delivered the keynote presentation, traced the organization’s global trajectory and competence in the areas of storage, cloud computing, data security, content management and Big Data. According to him, EMC which is already a renowned global leader in the storage and IT field, also retains a key interest in West Africa and Nigeria in particular. In his view, this interest is justified by the short space of time in which EMC has expanded its operations in Nigeria, going from having a single employee in 1999 to employing about 45 staff at present, while maintaining offices in Nigeria and the Ghanaian capital, Accra.
While lending his voice to the landmark partnership, Chairman of Zinox Group, Leo-Stan Ekeh noted that the pact with EMC serves to reaffirm TD’s prime position as the major driver of technological revolution in Africa. Ekeh, who commended EMC’s exponential growth after just six years of operations in Nigeria, also encouraged solution providers and resellers to take advantage of the unique opportunity offered by the partnership to grow their businesses.
“TD has maintained its position as the leader of the ICT distributor space over the years despite strong competition in the market place. This is why we see this partnership with EMC as strategic as it will go a long way to expand access to technology on the continent, especially considering the status of EMC as a major player in the global IT scene.
“I wish to encourage all of our solution providers and resellers to take advantage of the unique partnership being unveiled officially today, especially in view of the sheer scale of TD’s wide reach and after-sales support infrastructure which is unmatched in the sector as well as the innovative solutions in storage and data which EMC brings to the table.
“Despite the current state of pessimism in the economy due to falling oil prices and the fluid state of the naira, I must reassure you that there is much to be hopeful about in Nigeria’s business space. We are Africa’s biggest economy and we have the right calibre of people in the incoming administration who will build on the gains recorded by the outgoing administration,” he declared.
Executive Director, Mr. Etiene Etukudoh, who painted a glowing picture of Technology Distribution’s strong market presence and brand portfolio, also expressed delight at the partnership while affirming its strategic importance as the company enters its 16th year of operations.
“This year will mark TD’s 16th year of exceptional operations as a prime ICT distributor in Africa. We are indeed excited at the partnership with EMC especially in view of its far-reaching implications for our strategic positioning as the market leader in the field,” he noted.
With branches in major cities coupled with expansion into other African capitals, TD has forged a reputation for being the prime ICT distributor in the West African sub-region. Backed by its status as the pioneer manufacturer-accredited local distributor for the sub-region, TD has successfully represented a number of globally renowned brands which has helped maintain its position as the market leader.
The epoch-making event had in attendance Chief Executives and other key management staff from major ICT reseller companies in the country.