by MTHULISI SIBANDA
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – THE integrator of information and communications technology solutions, NEC XON, is prioritising Francophone Africa in its growth strategy on the continent.
The latest phase of this strategy is focused on Senegal, where the company is establishing dedicated French-language sales and pre-sales capabilities to support customers and technology partners across French-speaking West Africa.
This builds on existing French-language capabilities in the Democratic Republic of Congo, in Central Africa, and forms part of a broader investment in regional expertise.
NEC XON noted that while much of the technical work in the technology industry was conducted in English, successful business relationships involved considerably more than technical delivery.
It believes customer engagement, sales, contracting, financial processes, regulatory requirements and relationship management all benefit from people who understand the language and context in which customers operate.
“Language is only one part of the equation,” Gary Munro, NEC XON Vice President of Africa Operations, said.
“What we are really building is the ability to engage with customers and partners in a way that is relevant to their markets. Having French-language sales and pre-sales capability gives us a stronger foundation, but the bigger objective is to develop the local understanding and relationships that allow us to support customers over the long term.”
NEC XON noted that by establishing dedicated French-language capability in Senegal while building on resources already available in the DRC, it was creating a platform from which it could engage more effectively across Francophone markets.
The approach is intended to remove some of the practical barriers that have historically made expansion into French-speaking markets more difficult.
“This isn’t about putting a French-speaking salesperson into a market and calling the job done,” Munro said.
“It is about building the capability around that person – the technical expertise, the commercial understanding, the partnerships and the relationships – so that we can operate as a credible long-term participant in the market.”
NEC XON has already established regional capability across East, West and Southern Africa.
It has regional hubs in Kenya, Namibia and Nigeria.
NEC XON is part of NEC, a global Japanese firm.
– CAJ News