Microsoft and Safaricom on Wednesday signed an agreement that will promote entrepreneurship in the software development market.
Microsoft Operator Channel Lead for Sub Saharan Africa Mariam Abdullahi told journalists in Nairobi that under the agreement, software developers on the Microsoft platform will be able to sell their products via Safaricom payment platform.
"The partnership will help promote local content that is relevant to Kenyan problems," Abdullahi said. The majority of those in the industry practitioners are youth.
Abdullahi said Microsoft has experienced a 184 percent growth in revenues from software applications over the past one year.
Microsoft Kenya Country Manager Kunle Awosika said the country has latent potential in the information, communication and technology (ICT) sector.
Kenya is the second country in Sub-Saharan Africa after South Africa that has implemented systems to allow for mobile phone operator billing for the purchase of software application.
Safaricom Senior Manager for Internet Eva Kimani said Kenya is still a growth market for mobile phones.