Africa - New book on technology in Africa from STT in Netherlands

[stt] A new book on technology in Africa

The underlying question was how new technology would affect the poorest societies rather than the richest, those with least access to technology rather than those surrounded by the latest inventions. The most important reason for focusing the project on Africa was the perception that Africa might be close to a tipping point in its development and growth, with technology as an important factor. Since then, the evidence has strengthened that this is indeed the case. And this forms the backbone of this book.

Since 2007, it has become evident to the world that Africa is changing fundamentally. Economically, most African countries have outgrown the world economy for the last decade. Politically, the number of conflicts is decreasing, while the number of democratic changes of government is on the rise. Institutionally, issues standing in the way of development, such as contested land rights, customs inefficiencies and red tape, are more and more being addressed. Technologically, Africa has surprised even the most optimistic market experts with the rise of the mobile phone. The more than 450 million units in use today might well be a prelude to a fundamental ICT revolution in Africa. Culturally, the continent is discovering its own capacities and diversity in a globalizing world.

The rest of the world is beginning to notice the change. Businesses from all continents are discovering the economic potential of Africa, ranging from serving consumers at the base of the pyramid to executing pan-African infrastructure projects, from growing grains, fruits and vegetables to securing access to minerals. In an increasingly interconnected world, the geo-political role of Africa is getting increased attention. In the words of US President Barack Obama during his visit to Ghana in 2009: “The 21st century will be shaped by what happens not just in Rome or Moscow or Washington, but by what happens in Accra, as well.” This is not only because the tools of knowledge economies and the gadgets of consumer societies crucially rely on the continent’s rare metals.

Despite the change and the attention, many of Africa’s problems are persistent and much of the continent’s potential is still unused. Too many go hungry, too many are displaced or killed in conflicts, too many get too little education, too many die from easily preventable or curable diseases, too many are corrupt. The wealth of natural resources could secure livelihoods for the long term, if put to productive use. The land and the farmers could feed Africa and more, given appropriate farming techniques and governance. The young population could make Africa an economic powerhouse, given the opportunity and skills. International and intercontinental trade could prosper, given the right infrastructure.

Technology holds many promises as a driver of positive changes, as a tool to address the problems and as an enabler to fulfil the potential. Economic development requires modern technology and technology plays an important role in most strategies for alleviating hunger and poverty. Technology can reduce transaction costs, save lives, facilitate education, strengthen entrepreneurship, provide access to markets and help to deliver basic services, ranging from water and sanitation to public administration. However, the same technology can also be destructive and a cause of problems. Some technological developments can be facilitated or managed, others happen and require an adequate response.

It is this manifold interrelation of technology with its environment that makes exploring the future of technology so interesting and valuable. There is a need to explore how technology in Africa will or might evolve; to discuss the drivers and the obstacles, the issues technology might resolve and the problems it might cause; to identify how technology changes society and how African societies might

change global technology. These are big and complex questions and the STT foresight project, which ends with this publication, is a contribution to this discussion that is still in its infancy with respect to Africa.

This book is only one result of the STT foresight on technology in Africa. Other tangible results include the 1st Business Summit Netherlands–Africa in November 2010 and the Discover the Lion workshop series on technology-intensive industries in Africa, both to be continued in the future by the Netherlands–African Business Council (NABC). Dozens of organizations, including NGOs such as IICD, the 1% Club and AMREF Flying Doctors, businesses, including TNO and several NABC members, academic projects, such as the 3TU initiative on ethics, technology and development, and governmental organizations, such as the Scientific Council for Government Policy (WRR), the Social and Economic Council (SER) of the Netherlands and the Advisory Council for Science and Technology Policy (AWT), have consulted the project to improve their own activities and projects.

Many other results are intangible. Several of the interviewees on location now incorporate longterm thinking in their professional lives; business partners met during project activities and initiated common projects; local programmers were motivated by seeing their own activities placed in the bigger context of an African technology revolution; arts students at the Royal Academy of Arts in the Hague were inspired to explore how shifts in perception and paradigms, such as the West’s rediscovery of Africa, can be captured with digital media; entrepreneurs questioned their own assumptions and found new sources of information; journalists actively went to look for the Africa beyond the problems.

This STT foresight project has also changed our own perception of Africa. We have been surprised by the speed and diversity of change. We have been disappointed by how little of the potential is being used. We are inspired by the opportunities. Most of all, we can’t wait to see Africa’s future evolve and to positively contribute where we can. We invite you to join us in our renewed curiosity, of which this book is a reflection.


Futures of technology in Africa
Jasper Grosskurth