Amrote Abdella appointed as new regional director for Microsoft 4Afrika
Amrote Abdella appointed as new regional director for Microsoft 4Afrika
The Ethiopian-born Amrote Abdella, has been announced as the new
regional director for Microsoft’s 4Afrika Initiative, effective October
2015.
Launched in February 2013, the 4Afrika Initiative has grown to
empower over 273,000 small to medium-size enterprises, 76,000 youth,
20,000 government employees, and nine innovation hubs with access to
technology, resources and world-class skills development.
Previously the director of Startup Engagement and Partnerships at
4Afrika, she takes over from Fernando de Sousa and affirms Microsoft
Corp.’s commitment to Africa across the 54 countries.
In her new role, Abdella will oversee Microsoft’s investments in
Africa, deepen Microsoft’s engagements on the continent and scale
4Afrika’s work across different markets.
“At Microsoft, our mission is to empower every person and
organisation on the planet to do more,” Abdella said, adding that, “The
4Afrika Initiative is perfectly aligned to accelerate this for the
African continent through locally relevant innovation, affordable access
and skills development.”
“Creativity is what I love most about working in Africa and is what I
hope to continue to help unlock and ignite across the continent — to
see Africans not just being empowered by technology but also building
innovative solutions relevant for our markets,” Abdella said.
“We are honored to have Amrote serving as the new regional director
for the Microsoft 4Afrika Initiative,” Ali Faramawy, corporate vice
president for Microsoft Middle East & Africa, said, adding that,
“Having worked with the initiative since its launch in 2013, Amrote has a
deep understanding of both the continent and 4Afrika’s mission.
“Her wealth of firsthand, on-the-ground experience with startups,
investors, government bodies and nonprofit organisations has given her
insight into the exact challenges and opportunities we’re focusing on
through 4Afrika. We are confident in her ability to move the initiative
forward and refocus our efforts.”
Before joining Microsoft, Abdella worked for, among others, the World
Economic Forum, the World Bank Group, the Hunger Project and the
Grameen Foundation.
In her experience she has focused on financial services, policy guidance and economic development for Africa.
Abdella holds a B.A. in political science from Davidson College in
North Carolina, and an M.A. in international economics development from
Brandeis University in Massachusetts
