Zoho, an Indian multinational technology company that makes computer software and web-based business tools, says it has teamed up with online B2B enterprise marketplace Loita Business, part of the pan-African Loita Group, to support small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in Zimbabwe, Zambia and South Africa.
Zoho say this partnership aims to empower SMEs in the three countries to accelerate their digital transformation journey by providing access to enterprise-grade cloud technology solutions without cost barriers.
In announcing the new partnership, Zoho adds that it aligns with a number of national development plans including Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030, Zambia's Digital Economy Strategy, and South Africa's National Digital and Future Skills Strategy, all of which focus on a fully digitalised and innovation-driven business environment.
News service ITWeb Africa quotes the company as saying: “By providing affordable and easy-to-use technology, Zoho and Loita Business aim to lower the barriers to technology adoption and equip SMEs with tools to optimise operational efficiency and quickly succeed in an increasingly competitive market.”
Businesses affiliated with Loita Business get access to Zoho's broad portfolio of business applications that cater to various needs from sales, marketing and support to finance, HR and workforce collaboration.
Key benefits of the partnership include $500 wallet credits to eligible businesses and digital training through annual workshops.
Zoho adds that its applications are tailored to address the specific needs of Zimbabwean, Zambian and South African businesses, including compliance with financial and government regulations, localisation features and seamless system compatibility.
This development comes after a recent announcement by Zoho that it is broadening its reach across the continent. Indeed, late last week Zoho launched Projects Plus, a new, collaborative platform designed to simplify and enhance project management for mid-sized and large businesses across the Middle East and North Africa region.