Computer Warehouse Group (CWG) Ghana, integrated information and communication technology solutions providers, plans to list on the Ghana Stock Exchange in the next three years as part of its pan-African strategy.
Briefing journalists on the CWG’s policy and vision, Mr Austin Okere, Founder and Group Chief Executive Officer said, the company’s listing would provide Ghanaian investors the opportunity to share in CWG’s vision and drive.
“We are really planning to do this in the next three to five years as part of our broad strategy to serve the African continent,” he said.
CWG vision is to become the number one information technology utility company in Africa in 2015, serving countries in sub-Saharan Africa with results that would transform lives.
Currently, the company has presence in three African countries- Ghana, Nigeria and Uganda- and provides services indirectly in 17 other countries.
Last year, CWG’s turnover stood at US$120 million and has in its employment 550 persons.
Mr Okere was confident that the pan-African drive of the company would be attained despite the stiff competition and challenges.
He said the aim was to demonstrate that local companies were capable of competing favourably with their foreign counterparts when given the chance and conducive atmosphere to operate.
To be able to nurture local companies, he said, governments on the continent must begin to provide a structured support to the local industry by encouraging them to focus in areas where they could become major world players.
Besides, they must also repose the same confidence they have in the foreign companies in the local players.
He said the government’s excessive reliance on foreign companies for the provision of some services which local companies could best deliver did not augur well for the growth of entrepreneurship.
“What the Africa continent needs is the creation of an enabling environment and a level playing field for entrepreneurs to transform their dreams to build big companies,” Mr Okere said.
Mr Tony Dadzie, Country Manager CWG Ghana, which is the West African Regional Office, said the company had acquired the rights of major players, including Dell and Oracle to offer solutions to clients.
He said CWG Ghana was in the process of enhancing systems and acquiring new skills to better meet and serve the present and future service requirements of clients.
In the area of Corporate Social responsibility, CWG Ghana is supporting academic excellence in the Computer Department of the University of Ghana through an award to the best student.