Around 81% of software used in Africa is pirated, costing software industry & governments many billion dollars in revenue & choking growth, warned experts.
In a recently held workshop in Nairobi with representatives from software firms like Microsoft, governments & various media companies.
As per various industry surveys, there is virtually no legal software in many African nations due to widespread piracy. About 90% of software used in Zimbabwe is believed to be illegal with Nigeria coming at 82% and Kenya at 80%. Around 90% of software has entered African nations from countries with weak copyright laws like UAE, India & China.
Abed Hlatshwayo, anti-piracy manager at Microsoft for southern & eastern Africa, said that the African region is flooded with illegal copies & downloads accounting to over US$ 12.4 Billion.
"The surge can be attributed to rise in the use of file sharing software & an increase in the number of discussion forums & websites hosting links to pirated software. As the Dark Continent open doors for technology for overall development & reduction in poverty, Africa needs to enforce strong property laws to make best out its new technological innovations," said an analyst at RNCOS.
As per estimates, there would be a 10% reduction in piracy by 2009, resulting in a boost in IT sector and US$ 22.5 Billion in tax revenues, he said. Experts, however, have acknowledged that convincing an increasing number of PC users in Africa to use genuine software would be a difficult task.
James Kusewa of Dimensions Data, an eastern Africa IT company, said that people are not willing to buy something that's easily available. It's challenging, but firms must convince computer users to purchase genuine software and make them aware of the benefits of doing so like regular updates, warranty & technical support, which aren't available in case of pirated software, he added.
Hlatshwayo said that they couldn't sit like this & watch their efforts being pirated. He emphasized on changing this trend by enforcing strong property laws, increasing awareness & promoting improved management of assets thus contributing to economic growth of African nations.
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