For most international IT companies Africa is often their smallest market. As it sits at the bottom of the pile, it does not usually merit much attention. Since late last year Hewlett Packard has been operating two divisions in Africa: one for South Africa and another for the rest of the continent. With its recent merger with Compaq and its e-Inclusion programme these things might have a wider significance than the usual shifts in sales channel arrangements. Russell Southwood looks at how Hewlett Packard would like this change to affect its work.