Visual Unity targets Africa
Published: MEA
KENYA: Systems integrator and multiscreen platform provider Visual Unity has entered into a joint venture with Telemedia Africa to establish Visual Unity Africa. The company, based in Nairobi, offers systems integration and professional services to the local broadcast, IT and telecommunications industries, along with specialist R&D capabilities to develop Mobile Applications for the triple play space.
Visual Unity Africa is headed by partners Baiju Shah, Ali Hussein and Ken Kariuki, all of whom have extensive management experience in the broadcast and technology sectors. Mr Hussein and Mr Kariuki will be permanently based at Visual Unity Africa’s Nairobi offices from where they will initially develop the East and Central African market, with a view to expanding into other areas in the future.
‘In terms of broadcast and content delivery, Africa is an area that is ripe for expansion and there have already been significant changes with a proliferation of new TV stations coming on line to quench demand for local content,’ said Tomas Petru, managing director of Visual Unity. ‘However, one thing the market lacks are specialist systems integration and professional services organisations that can assist broadcasters with their equipment choices as they make the switch to digital television and enable them to monetising content as they embrace the burgeoning multiscreen environment. With our rich set of video and broadcast products, our extensive R&D expertise and our knowledge of the linear and multiscreen systems integration, Visual Unity Africa is ideally placed to bridge this gap by providing high quality services and products to the emerging triple market.’
Mr Hussein added that Visual Unity Africa’s combination of local connections and business development expertise will give the company an enviable lead in the market. ‘Visual Unity Africa’s 360-degree view of integration, along with its acquired mobile applications capability, will enable us to sell products and services to media, Telco and broadcaster organisations. Visual Unity Africa also has an important role to play in influencing regulatory issues and setting new regional standards. It is our intention to be a hub of best practice that will serve as a benchmark for the rest of Africa.’