venturesafrica.com - 

TechSoup, a transformative technology solutions company with a philanthropy programme in technology, launched its first fully global technology donation called TechSoup.Global, aimed at non-profit organisations (NPOs) in Africa, on the 18th of November this year. The donations allow NPOs in every corner of Africa harness the profound power of technology for greater impact at a significantly lower cost plus providing other forms of support to the sector.

Previously, TechSoup only operated in four countries in Africa. South Africa became a TechSoup partner country back in 2006, was followed by Kenya in 2009 and then Egypt shortly after. During that period, Botswana was added as an extension of the South African programme. Techsoup had an Asia-Pacific, South America, and North America expansion, with Africa being left on the back burner left, but now a new opportunity presents itself for the continent with the introduction of TechSoup Global.

David Barnard, Vice President of TechSoup Africa, shared the reasons for the company’s latest move on the continent with Ventures Africa, as well as his expectations for growth and development through accessible technology solutions.

Ventures Africa (VA): Congratulations on the recent launch of TechSoup Global. What were the factors that facilitated the expansion of your network from just four countries in Africa to all 54?

David Barnard (DB): There are about two or three reasons for this. First of all, there was a high demand from non-profit organisations in many countries in Africa that were not served via TechSoup until the launch of TechSoup Global. At the time, because of the rules we work with and all the big multi-nationals that are very country-specific, if were in Kenya and Kenya was the focus, then we were unable to serve Tanzania. People became aware of the problem, leading to an increase in requests demanding that we allow other countries to benefit from the programme as well.