Technology has undoubtedly played a significant role in driving globalisation, but has it had a positive impact on Africa?
This question has been asked time and time again, with some experts suggesting that technology might actually be slowing Africa down.
The success stories of Asia and Europe show that their approach to technology adoption is different from that of Africa. In these regions, any imported advanced technology is modified and tailored to suit the needs of the country.
Overtime, the outcome causes an explosion of local innovation and homegrown success stories.
China, Korea, and Japan are excellent examples of countries that have successfully adopted and modified advanced technology. Italian and French companies, such as, Lamborghini and Vespa, have also adopted similar tactics, and their results speak for themselves.
In contrast, Africa has often been criticised for failing to innovate and for being too slow in advancing technologically. They simply import and replicate foreign technology without modifying it to suit local needs. This approach has resulted in numerous failed imports.
However, some African entrepreneurs are starting to challenge this narrative. Companies such as Jumia and Flutterwave have broken the mold and are successfully tailoring their technology to suit local needs.
African entrepreneurs need to “think Africa” and focus on developing innovative solutions that are tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities of the continent.
In conclusion, technology has played a critical role in driving globalisation, but its impact on Africa is devoloping which makes it far from a success story.
Africa can learn from the successes of other regions and adopt a more tailored approach to technology adoption. Doing this can unlock Africa’s full potential to become a key player in the global technology landscape.
