Levelling the technology playing field in Africa

Mobile computing is without a doubt transforming the technology landscape in Africa. A recent infoDev study found that out of 800 mobile users surveyed in Kenya, over 20% of respondents felt it was necessary to make real sacrifices to take advantage of the benefits of mobile computing. For some, that meant going as far as skipping a meal or choosing to walk instead of paying for a bus fare in order to reserve their personal funds for investments in technology.

However, despite the growing scope of mobile penetration and a corresponding desire among the African population to utilize technology, universal access and training is not widespread.

According to the 2012 Internet World Stats, Africa has the lowest Internet penetration percentage for its population – 15% – as compared to the other six regions of the world. In Africa, Internet usage is mainly limited to capital cities connected to DSL services via newly accessed submarine optical fiber cables or to those who fall in range of the expanding mobile networks. The majority of the continent continues to lack the technology and necessary infrastructure to help grow new markets and stimulate development.

Fortunately, development agencies and private companies can use the accelerated interest and uptake in mobile devices in the developing world as an opportunity to deploy applications and initiatives to positively impact Base of the Pyramid (BoP) populations.

Consider the possible impact of one mobile phone purchased by a family in Kenya; that one device can remind a pregnant mother about her prenatal visit leading to strides in infant health, alert a father when his electronic paycheck has been deposited and inspire a young child to one day become an IT leader that earns a globally-competitive salary.

Mobile computing effectively allows populations that were previously decades behind in development to leapfrog into a competitive position. Accordingly, I believe that giving this population the access to technology they need, is paramount.

The challenge is to increase the level and scope of technology investments throughout Africa, especially to underserved communities. It is certainly a task too large for any one organization to take on, but since public and private organizations both share a vested interest in delivering information and communication technologies to BoP populations in emerging markets, there is an underlying incentive for collaboration.

I believe that the key to achieving success on such a large scale is a collective ardor to better understand the technology landscape in places like Africa, and what challenges, needs and opportunities it creates for each collaborator. We should be asking the following questions:

How and to what extent are private companies innovating to engage and enable BoP consumers and develop new markets? Do investments in technology align with needs in the developing world? What are the barriers to accessing the full potential of technology as a tool for development?

Once we address these questions, we can begin to truly formulate shared value in technology investment.

Author: William A. Brindley is Chief Executive Officer of NetHope

Image: People use free WI-FI  at Kigali international airport in Rwanda REUTERS/Finbarr O’Reilly