Technology giant Microsoft says it will open 21 web stores for applications and games across several African countries including Zimbabwe. According to Microsoft, the web stores will enable users of Windows Phone devices to buy, download and access a large number of applications and games.

Zimbabwe has witnessed huge growth in the information communication technologies in the last four years becoming arguably one of the continent's most connected countries.

"The team worked hard this year to expand the Windows Phone Store to new markets and add improvements making it easier to find and download great apps and games. But we could not have done it without your support and feedback, which guided many of our efforts," said Microsoft's Mr Mazhar Mohammed.

"With these additions, customers can browse and buy applications through our website in a total of 112 markets worldwide. The web outlet complements the phone store, which is now available in 191 markets worldwide. And we are continuing to work to bring the Store to more places."

Besides Zimbabwe, other African countries on the list include Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Uganda and Zambia.

The Windows Phone is a family of mobile operating system developed by Microsoft.

While the number of Windows Phone users in the country is unknown, its competitors the android and Apple's IOS operating systems are also relatively popular on the Zimbabwean market.

New Ziana