Review: Africa Technology Development

Technology is driving development in the world today, even continents left out in the previous industrial revolution stages are carried along now, and much to the surprise of many, they are making headway.

Africa is a continent blessed with countries that are rich in culture and are blessed with both natural and human resources. With each responding differently to certain situations.

Yet technology seems to have elicited a similar response from these African countries. Each swiftly adapting and milking the benefits while also building strong and enviable tech ecosystems.

Access to smartphones and the internet has increased tremendously within the last decade.

Now, African children are growing up in societies where the internet, social media, and belonging to global online communities are the norm.

The rate of mobile phone penetration has helped drive this, while at the same time building a digital bridge that is bringing drastic but welcomed changes to the economic gap.

Following this development, the continent has experienced diversified use of technology and its application in all sectors and industries. There are e-learning sites and apps, health tech apps, and Fintech solutions.

Technology is now used by farmers to check soil sensors, use drones to spread pesticides and conduct irrigation, predict climate changes among others.

Coupled with the recent crippling effect of COVID-19 on the economy, more emerging technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality among others are being involved more in providing solutions.

However, before Africa got to this technology level. It took a lot of conscious effort to get to where most countries are now while for some countries the process is still very much ongoing.

For example, Egypt, in the past led innovative scientific inventions. This birthed the name Cradle of Civilization for the country. Having this foundation was a morale boost.

Egypt has continued to experience rapid technology advancement, it currently has the best high-tech universities producing digitally skilled graduates.

Currently, Egypt has one of the fastest-growing digital technology sectors in Africa, and also its entrepreneurship hub that leverages technology is booming.

South Africa is another country whose technology development is worth taking notes of. Presently Africa’s most technologically developed country.

Defeating the odds stacked against it, South Africa has proven to be a force to reckon with in technology development.

Having successfully incorporated emerging technologies into their creations, the use of drones in mining, Fintech solutions among others.

Another African country of reference is Nigeria, despite having experienced some level of technological breakthroughs is still struggling with unfavorable policies and regulations that threaten the further development of tech in the country.

Nigeria has the highest number of tech-enabled startups in Africa, the country also is home to one of the top tech hubs in Africa. Yet, other African countries are slowly but steadily overtaking in tech development.

Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Morocco are surpassing expectations and are building with tech. Hence, tech development is something to write home about in their countries.

Conclusively, tech has come to stay in Africa. However, the development process is different in various African countries. Yet, it is inarguable that African tech development will continue albeit these disparities.

Favourable policies, regulations, and other enabling factors when put in place will greatly improve the development of tech in Africa.

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