NTT DATA has appointed Vinesh Maharaj as the Director of Smart Manufacturing and Industry for the Middle East and Africa (MEA). This is a strategic appointment by the company to expand its footprint in Africa’s evolving digital economy.
“Africa is entering a new industrial era, and we want to be part of that story,” said Maurizio De Matteis, CEO of NTT DATA Middle East and Africa. “By investing in sector-specific leadership, we’re making sure we understand the local context while bringing in global best practices.”
Deep Experience in AI and Industrial Tech
Maharaj brings more than 30 years of experience in the manufacturing sector, having worked with leading firms in automation, AI, and IT/OT integration. He joins NTT DATA from PwC South Africa, where he was a Partner and Head of Digital Operations & Smart Manufacturing.
His experience spans a wide range of technologies from predictive AI to advanced analytics and edge computing and he’s been instrumental in helping industrial firms adapt to new challenges and scale digital capabilities across the value chain.
“What excites me about this role is the chance to blend cutting-edge technologies with practical, on-the-ground execution across Africa,” Maharaj said. “We’re not just talking about automation; we’re enabling smarter, more resilient, and more sustainable operations.”
NTT DATA’s Push into Africa
While NTT DATA is already active in several African markets through its Digital Finance, Digital Government, and Digital Health solutions, this move reflects a growing focus on industrial sectors that are becoming central to the continent’s growth strategy.
Smart manufacturing and AI-driven supply chains are important since most African countries are investing in local production capacity, infrastructure, and economic resilience post-COVID.
In some key markets like Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and Egypt, the convergence of manufacturing with digital technologies could help unlock new opportunities that can lead to job creation, economic diversification, and export growth.
Smart Manufacturing in Focus
With this appointment, NTT DATA says it can help African manufacturers to the following:
- Digitize their operations and reduce downtime.
- Improve energy and resource efficiency.
- Enable predictive maintenance and real-time analytics.
- Create more agile and resilient supply chains.
All the above mentioned align with global trends in Industry 4.0 and sustainable production. They do have a local twist to ensure solutions are scalable, relevant, and tailored to African business environments.
Maharaj’s role is part of a wider effort by NTT DATA to build local leadership teams across Africa and the Middle East. According to the company, this approach ensures that clients benefit from deep sector expertise and on-the-ground knowledge, supported by global R&D and infrastructure.
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