Exactly two (2) weeks ago on 1st October 2019, I got this email from MVP Global Administrator.

• What is it like to be a Microsoft MVP?
  

Microsoft awards as MVP the best and brightest community leaders, the most active influencers in Developer and IT Pro audiences
contributing on the last technologies, and based on the unpaid community contributions they delivered during the last 12 months.

• A brief history of the Microsoft MVP Program
  

The program started in the mid-1990’s and continues today as a way for Microsoft to say “Thanks!” to those community leaders who advocate for Microsoft products on their own time, while maintaining a passion for helping others. The contributions Microsoft MVPs make to the overall community range from creating content, providing expert feedback, organizing events, speaking engagements, social media interaction, writing books, to helping answer questions in online forums / communities, provide a huge impact.

• What are the benefits of becoming Microsoft MVP?
  

As a reward for doing all this “work” without expecting anything in return, Microsoft MVPs are given some benefits such as Microsoft software and services for free, a premium LinkedIn account, Pluralsight VIP Subscription, MSDN Universal subscription, Office 365 subscription, Azure goodies, early access to Microsoft products, and direct communication channels to the product teams working on those products and Microsoft also hosts an exclusive, annual Global MVP Summit where they invite all Microsoft MVPs to come to Redmond at Microsoft Headquarters, Washington, USA.

• MVP Facts and Figures
  

1. 2714 MVPs worldwide in October 2019
   
2. 32 MVPs in Africa
   
3. Represent more than 90 countries
   
4. Awarded in 11 distinct Award Categories
   
5. With contributions related to about 95 contributions areas
   

   (Microsoft technologies Microsoft or not)
   

• MVPs In Africa per Country

	Country	Number of MVPs
1	Ghana	1
2	Côte d’Ivoire	1
3	Senegal	1
4	Kenya	1
5	Mauritius	2
6	Nigeria	3
8	Morocco	3
9	Egypt	3
10	South Africa	17

• MVPs In Africa per Award Category
  

  	Categories	Number of MVPs
  1	Microsoft Azure	5
  2	Windows Development	1
  3	Office Development	0
  4	Developer Technologies	9
  5	Data Platform	6
  6	AI	0
  7	Enterprise Mobility	1
  8	Cloud & Datacenter Management	3
  9	Windows & Devices for IT	0
  10	Office Apps & Services	7
  11	Business Applications	1

• MVP Award Categories
  

	Categories	Number of MVPs
1	Microsoft Azure	424
2	Windows Development	121
3	Office Development	49
4	Developer Technologies	666
5	Data Platform	342
6	AI	88
7	Enterprise Mobility	108
8	Cloud & Datacenter Management	232
9	Windows & Devices for IT	56
10	Office Apps & Services	503
11	Business Applications	176