LAGOS, Nigeria and CASABLANCA, Morocco, Feb. 7, 2014 /PRNewswire - MySolutionInfo/ -- IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced it is further expanding its operations across Africa with the opening of two new IBM Innovation Centers in Lagos, Nigeria and Casablanca, Morocco. These new centers aim to spur local growth and fuel an ecosystem of development and entrepreneurship around Big Data and Analytics and cloud computing in the region.

Approximately one in every two medium to large businesses in both South Africa and Kenya already use the cloud. In Nigeria, cloud usage is expected to more than double to 80 percent of businesses by the end of next year. At the same time, organizations around Africa are looking for ways to improve their analytics skills and more accurately tap into the data being produced by mobile devices and tablets - and, better anticipate the needs of their customers by delivering improved services.

As the local demand for these types of advanced technologies and skills increases, Africa is quickly moving to the center of global attention as the last big emerging market of the current economic era. According to the IMF, Africa is set to be the world's second fastest growing region with projected growth of over five percent this year. Africa-grown innovation is key to the continent's future development, and dependent on close collaboration between local experts and global innovation leaders.

To take advantage of this explosive growth - clients, IT partners, developers, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and academics will now have access to the latest Big Data and Analytics and cloud-focused enterprise software, hardware, client services, skills training, business and marketing support.

The new Innovation Centers will focus on providing constituents with solutions that use Big Data and Analytics and cloud computing technologies to solve key local and global challenges such as improving government services, digitizing banking services and enhancing customer centricity in telecommunications. Clients will now be able to participate in virtual and in-person training, test out new products, network with peers from around the world, and receive mentoring and guidance from IT and business experts. For example, the Innovation Centers will give clients hands-on access to cloud-based industry solutions such as IBM Intelligent Operations designed to provide cities, governments and utilities with a central command center that utilizes predictive analytics to enhance efficiency and centrally manage all of their operations.

"Innovation has become a key driver of positive change in developed nations, and IBM has blazed the trail once again in this market with its new Innovation Center," said Victor Hammond, managing director of Bankers Warehouse Plc. "I foresee this facility becoming a key driver of technology innovation in Nigeria, helping to promote the culture of knowledge incubation and scientific enquiry in all sectors of Africa."

Media Contacts:
Faye Abloeser
IBM Media Relations
1 (908) 770-0762
abloeser@us.ibm.com

Kristine Nalbone
IBM Media Relations
1 (917) 472-3656
knalbon@us.ibm.com

Arlene Wainstein
External Relations Leader
IBM Middle East & Africa
971 4 4501893
arlenew@ae.ibm.com