Unique Solutions, in collaboration with their new business partners, IBM, on 22 February 2012, held a day-long forum on Information Communication Technology (ICT) awareness at the Coco Ocean Hotel in Bijilo.
The seminar targeted participants from both the public and private sectors and other stakeholders in the country.
It was held to enable IBM to re-introduce itself as well as to extend its market reach through the dynamic partnership between Unique Solutions in a bid to bring first-class innovative ICT services directly to the doorsteps of Gambian businesses.
Speaking at the forum, the CEO of Unique Solutions, Papa Yusupha Njie, said that ICT has afforded humanity a multitude of opportunities and is changing tradition always in production and service delivery in which IBM played a great part all around the world.
“IBM is working with its clients to develop a new business designs and technical architectures that allow business the flexibility required to compete in this landscape,” stated CEO Njie.
He also said the business is also adjusting its footprint towards emerging geographies tapping their double-digit growth, providing the technology infrastructure they need, and taking advantage of the talent pools they provided to better serve the company’s clients.
He noted that the relevance of ICT to The Gambia is indeed very clear as 2012 promises to be an exciting year in ICT industry with the commissioning of the ACE submarine cable.
Mr. Njie indicated that the Government of The Gambia, in partnership with the private sector, has made investing in ICT a priority in its drive to achieve is Vision 2020 drive.
He further revealed that its company is a shareholder in the Gambia Submarine cable, WARCIP, which they hope to take advantage of.
He applauded their customers for appreciating them over the past 12 years. “Our clients’ demand for excellence and our mandate to meet them has allowed Unique Solutions to begin testing its new 4G services, prior to the official rollout in the second quarter of 2012,” he said.
He adduced that their 4G network will deliver mobility, faster speeds, greater penetration and ease of deployment.
Mr. Njie noted that their partnership with IBM, coupled with their existence and upcoming infrastructure will go a long way in providing the required recipe for the success needed for IMB to call The Gambia a hub of innovation and excellence in the services and solutions to be provided to all.
Speaking to reporters, Mamadou Ndiaye, IBM country general manager, said the rationale behind the initiative is to make their customers know that IBM is in the region and here in The Gambia.
He described the relationship as building a win-win partnership working to solve issues affecting customers.
He indicated that 60% of their revenue comes from services including software and hardware.
He indicated that what they do is to add value to their customers.
He noted that their partnership with Unique Solutions started not long ago when he came to discuss with them about the landscape of the market and saw the need for a partnership with Unique Solutions.
Mourad Lamloum, power system and storage specialist in West Africa, also made presentation on Infrastructure, service and storage, consolidation, and virtualization.