Cyprus has signed an €8 million deal with tech giant Microsoft to equip 10,000 public sector workers with Microsoft 365 licenses and upgrade the country’s digital infrastructure.
The five-year Enterprise Agreement is the first of its scale for the Cypriot government and is seen as a major step towards modernising the public sector.
The suite of Microsoft 365 tools will include email, secure collaboration tools, cloud computing services, project management and reporting software, and more.
Additionally, the agreement includes crucial support services from Microsoft specialists and certified partners to ensure smooth implementation and user training. This training is expected to significantly enhance the digital skills of civil servants, a key factor in achieving the government’s ambitious digital transformation goals.
Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, Nicodemos Damianou hailed the agreement as the beginning of a “broader cooperation” between Cyprus and Microsoft.
He emphasised the government’s commitment to creating “a modern, digital state that serves the citizens and businesses of the country quickly and efficiently.” The private sector, he added, is a “main partner” in this drive.
Yanna Andronopoulou, Managing Director for Microsoft Greece, Cyprus and Malta, echoed the sentiment, calling the agreement “a significant step towards the digital future of Cyprus.” She highlighted Microsoft’s aim to contribute to building “an even more modern and effective state for all.”
The agreement is anticipated to significantly improve efficiency within the public sector and enhance the quality of service delivered to Cypriot citizens. It marks a turning point in Cyprus’s digital modernisation efforts and paves the way for a more streamlined and tech-enabled public service.
