Intel to Support Mobile APP Development in Africa

intelIntel has partnered with business incubator iHub to foster and grow the developer community in Africa through targeted investments in mobile app development, online developer resources, university training programs, device seeding programs and expansion of technology hubs.

iHub which has the tech community in Kenya and has evolved into a space with over 10,000 members. The model set by iHub has been used to start more than 30 other tech hubs across Africa, and enjoys a leadership role in the continent due to its size and relationship with the other hubs. Being a tech space, iHub is able to offer thought leadership in areas ofmobile technology and its use.

The partnership will provide broadly available developer training through iHub and Intel’s Developer Zone, an online developer resource that enables the creation and porting of Android apps. Intel will also distribute Intel Android devices to the tech hubs, and will collaborate with select universities across the continent to enhance the ability of developers to create rich user experienceson Intel hardware with Android.

“The company’s goal was to enable applications from Africa for the Android marketplace in 2013, with the primary areas of focus being education, rich media,and gaming. Our engagement will not only be around educating thedeveloper community, but we’ll also run a series of hackathons across the Africa network in partnership with iHub, We’re extremely excited about thegrowing developer engagement in Africa, and we’re deeply committed to helping the African software ecosystem grow and thrive”  said Danie Steyn, the General Manager of Intel East Africa

“The software development scene in Africa is active but still nascent, we’re excited to partner with Intel to grow it”,said Erik Hersman the MD at iHub.

iHub will work with 10 universities inKenya, and host 30 events targeted at software associations and independent software vendors

Credit: AllAfrica.com