Technology

Introduction

As the World Economic Forum succinctly put it: ‘Africa’s embrace of technology turns two common assumptions inside out – that tech breakthroughs happen in rich countries and that Africa needs basic services before it can use high-tech solutions. What Africa’s start-ups are doing is using technology to build those basic services – and a whole lot more.

Technology – its importance for leapfrogging the development trajectory and addressing the needs of the informal sector

In Africa, as nowhere else in the world, technology is improving people’s lives – especially mobile services and applications. With minimal fixed line phone infrastructure, the continent has embraced the opportunity to leapfrog existing technologies, becoming a world leader in the delivery of such services.’1

Africa tech hubs landscape

In 2018 there were 442 active tech hubs in Africa. This represents a 41% jump based on the 2017 estimate of 314 tech hubs.

Source: World Economic Forum

References:

1 Kende-Robb, C. 2015. Why technology is key to Africa's future, World Economic Forum (online).