From Venture Burn

Johannesburg’s Braamfontein has been making steady moves into becoming the tech hub of Johannesburg, in fact, many see it as one already. The Johannesburg Metro has also initiated a number of programs to see that this happen. And though the results must be assessed in the long term, Jozi has begun to attract investments.

IBM, an American multinational technology and consulting corporation, has invested in Braamfontein by expanding its IBM Research Africa. IBM is investing R700-million (around US$61-million) over ten years in a new laboratory at the University of Witwatersrand’s Tshimogolong Precinct tech hub in Braamfontein. The new research facility will open at the beginning of April 2015.

South Africa joins IBM’s research portfolio network of 12 research labs around the world with more than 3500 researchers. This is IBM’s second research hub in Africa, its first was opened in Nairobi, Kenya.

At the announcement of the investment in South Africa, IBM reiterated its commitment to Africa. Dr. John E. Kelly III, Senior Vice President of IBM Solutions Portfolio and Research, explained why IBM chose to invest in South Africa:

IBM considers two factors when deciding where to place research labs: access to world-class skills and talent and the ability to work on pressing business and societal challenges that can be best addressed through advanced information technology.

The tech hub will focus on advancing Big Data, cloud and mobile technologies to support South Africa’s national priorities, drive skills development and foster innovation-based economic growth.

This is part of a 10 year investment through the Department of Trade and Industry and working closely with the Department of Science and Technology.

Read more at Venture Burn