There are higher levels of illiteracy in Africa that has
affected the continent to move forward especially in sub-Sahara Africa. But
with the dawn of science and technology, African can move forward and grow her
economy speedily if she can embrace and invest in it. There is a lot of
potential in Africa for technological growth.
In recent past, we have seen African governments
investing much in science and technology, one such example is Ghana which is
building a $10 billion high-tech hub – it will encompass a technological
university, hospital, assembly of technological products, sports etc. This
high-tech investment will foster technological growth and attract major players
in the global ICT industry. Countries such as Nigeria which is building a new
data centre that will be hosting cloud computing services; Kenya which is also
a hub of technology in east Africa had the technology giant firm Hitachi opened
a new branch there. Not forgetting Uganda which is also a power house of
technology innovation in Africa.
African needs to invest a lot in science and technology
if her economy is to grow. Technology unlocks a lot of potential in any
country. We have seen how our Western and Asian counterparts have benefited
from science technology and they are still utilizing its potential.
Rwanda which recently recovered from genocide is making advances
under the leadership of President Kagame with regards to embracing technology.
They just launched a project called One-Laptop per Child (OLPC) which is being commanded
by the government and NGOs. The aim of this project is to turn Rwanda into a
knowledge-based economy like that of Singapore. It is part of the Vision 2020
under the leadership of President Paul Kagame. Turning Rwanda into a tech hub
will not only find jobs for the Rwandese but also help them to live a better
life.
The merits of technology in education sector are gigantic
in such a way that education can be delivered at a cheap rate or free and fast.
E-learning is contributing to the growth education sector in such way that it
eliminates or reduces illiteracy levels.
African governments should invest a lot in technology.
Take for instance the new pilot project which was just launched by Wikipedia
and Airtel which will allow people to receive Wikipedia articles via SMS/Text.
If successful, this project will enrich the minds of many Africans, thus
helping to reduce illiteracy. Again, take the innovation of the internet,
people who have access to the internet are able to do a lot of research at a
cheaper rate and have access to all sort of information cheaply. Another
example is the use of social media, which allows people to associate and
communicate cheaply. Social media is connecting people from all walks of life.
Social media is a social of news now for many Africans. Breaking news is on
Twitter and Facebook. Social media are also changing the way African politics
are conducted.
Another technology revolutionary is the introduction of
mobile money. Although it has a dark side of it, it has helped to transform Africa’s
banking industry especially the rural part which is unbankable. Mobile money
has been able to extend banking services to areas where conventional banks are
not able to reach. Apart from internet connectivity, it is becoming one of the
utilized technological innovations in Sub-Saharan Africa. The noble part of
mobile money is that it is faster, cheap and convenient. The recent research
indicates that mobile transactions will reach 1 trillion by 2015. This simply
demonstrates that the leverage of mobile technology and technology at large is colossal.
Not only is mobile money creating jobs for the many locals in Africa but also
helping to create sustainable and health living standards by reducing poverty. Kenya,
Nigeria, Uganda, South African and Zambia are some of the countries that are
utilizing this service very much. Statistics also show that Africa has
surpassed Latin America to be the second largest mobile market consumer after
Asia. Giant mobile telecommunication companies such as MTN, Safaricom, Airtel, and
Vodacom are the pioneers of this technological innovation. We are heading
towards a cashless economy!!
Digitalizing African industries/firms via e-commerce is
another way of propelling the economic expansion of Africa. With low rates and
higher internet penetration, companies can be able to realize the full benefits
that comes with e-commerce. E-commerce will enable African firms to have a
wider reach. Companies can be able to market and sale their products cheaply.
African companies such as retail, agriculture and entertainment industry can
penetrate the market and have a global reach!! This is unleashed potential of
revenue generation for Africa. IT start-ups can also focus on this area and
create jobs!
Other innovative services that Africa can benefit from
are telecommuting, where people are able to work away from their offices. Both
the private sector and government can leverage technology to help improve the
health care sector. Africa can harness the opportunities that are offered by
technology in health sectors e.g. drug authentication technology called Mobile
Product Authentication (MPA) – which is used to verify drug products against
fake ones (Nigeria recently launched this). Also health smart-cards Doctors can
administer patients via video conferencing though the process called
“Tele-pharmacy” or “tele-medicine”. Tele-medicine can help poor people in rural
areas who have difficulties in seeking healthcare services. African countries
can push ahead and draw up policies that support this e-health services. The
market for this is ripe as such more jobs can be created and poverty stricken
citizens in rural areas can have access to cheap and sustainable health care. Most
competing health providers in African doesn't know use technology, thus,
start-ups can come up and provide quality, affordable health care services for
the middle and lower class.
In this information age we living in, there is need for
Africa to invest a lot in technological infrastructure so as to eradicate
poverty, remove illiteracy, provides jobs and contribute to the development of
the continent. Of course the first step to actualize all these benefits can
only start with massive investment in technological infrastructure. The digital
divide has to be reduced drastically as well by making cheaper access to the
internet. The global information society should also carter for Africa. African
governments have the duty to digitalize the entire continent and transform it
into a knowledge-based economy. Mind you, telecommunication is the fastest
economy drivers in any country.
Although the usage of computers have increased over the
last decade, what is needed now is to develop and utilize the services that
technology offer such as the internet, mobile money, digital marketing among
others. Technology need to encompass all the areas: accounting and banking,
agriculture, communications, health, mining, transportation, defence medical,
and research. Governments should also come up with policies and regulations
that can enhance technological usage in these areas. If African governments
embrace technology, there will be more FDI inflows, thus contributing to the
economic growth of the continent. Skills trainings to be specialized in
computing is a pre-requisite as well, e.g. programming, security, networking,
telecommunications, information systems etc. We lack resource specialization in
Africa. We need to educate more people in the discipline of technology. What
Africa needs most is the ability to exploit existing products effectively, and
this can only be achieved through education. Development is all about people, their needs and their potential, and
not with the sophistication of technology. Training costs in sub-Saharan
countries are too exorbitant and needs to be reduced drastically.
Technology is a tool for growth in Africa. Africa can
achieve mammoth economic gains with the aid of science and technology. The benefits
of science and technology are immense and this is a very innovative sector that
will continue to create benefits for more years to come. With high mobile
penetration, Africa can take advantage of technology and propel economic
growth.
Lukonde L. Chaibela
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