Intelligent Tech Channels Issue 56 | Page 32

AFRICA
REGIONAL CHANNELS
AFRICA
Exclusive Networks is a global trusted cybersecurity specialist for digital infrastructure helping to drive the transition to a totally trusted digital future for all people and organisations . Recently , the IT distribution group announced it was expanding its operations across the African continent with the opening of a new office in Lagos , Nigeria .

EXCLUSIVE NETWORKS AFRICA CONTINUES ITS EXPANSION PLANS THROUGHOUT THE CONTINENT

Exclusive Networks Africa , which represents the continental arm of this global , trusted cybersecurity specialist for digital infrastructure , is continuing its expansion into Africa , building presence within the sub-Saharan region in recent months , including the opening of a formal office in Lagos , Nigeria .

The latest addition adds to existing offices in South Africa , Kenya and Mauritius .
Because Africa is seen as a growth market by the group , it is widely recognised as an important investment destination , allowing for a strong focus on the company ’ s vendor partners , both current as well as potential . Anton Jacobsz , Managing Director , Exclusive Networks Africa , said : “ Having previously operated in a number of countries across Africa with the support of representatives there , as well as from head office in Centurion , South Africa wherever required , the company was very pleased recently to extend its footprint more formally with increased resources on the ground in Uganda , Madagascar and Nigeria .
“ This is in line with our vision to become a pan-African cybersecurity specialist and upgrade our regional presences with formal offices in every country within which we operate ,” he said .
As the African entity of a global company that is listed on the Paris stock exchange , Euronext Paris , the Ugandan and Madagascan employees were appointed , and the Nigerian branch established , following extensive due diligence which evaluated current and future business trends in the central African , Indian Ocean Islands and West African areas respectively .
“ Our business has been doing extremely well this year ,” said Jacobsz . “ With significant growth and very pleasing recent financial results . The branch in Lagos , Nigeria will be able to service the growing West African market in a consolidated manner . As part of the growth strategy across the continent , it was decided that opening a dedicated branch in Lagos made business sense due to its geographical location and position in the heart of the thriving West African region .
“ Having been operational in Nigeria for some five years already , we were really pleased to be able to register a formal entity and open up Exclusive Networks Nigeria . The office has been set up and the new team members have moved in . This bodes very well for our expansion plans across Africa .”
Jacobsz explained that Exclusive Networks Africa ’ s approach involves identifying the key growth regions .
“ We ’ ll start by putting feet on the ground to service those regions , with the team developing the channel and servicing the market . Thereafter the goal is to have in-country offices , with the ultimate vision being to open a branch across every country in Africa that we service , across the vast majority of the continent ,” he explained .
Jacobsz added that countries across the continent should be willing and enabled to tap into each other ’ s markets in order to grow businesses and , accordingly , profits , to the greater economic benefit of the entire region .
“ Put very simply , we in Africa , across different countries and regions , need to start interacting with each other intra-country and across borders in the same way that business entities across Europe interact with each other across regions ,” he said .
Jacobsz adds that the strategy includes distinct elements , such as the growth of existing vendors across existing markets ; existing vendors into new potential markets ; onboarding new vendors , and finally services .
“ At Exclusive Networks , we proudly offer market-leading brands across the cybersecurity sphere and differentiate ourselves further with our world class service . We are excited to see our presence in these areas consolidated and look forward to growing our presence in additional targeted countries , in a ‘ hub-and-spoke ’ relationship , in due course ,” he said . •
Anton Jacobsz , Managing Director , Exclusive Networks Africa
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