African Technological Advances

Ryan King

Advancements in African Technologies

            Insights into technological advances in Africa, and how they better African lives, were presented at the New Technologies lecture Wednesday at the University of Oklahoma

            Brad Crofford & Priscilla Gomes presented New Technologies and Innovation in Africa at Carson Hall on the University of Oklahoma. They presented multiple examples of technological advancements in recent African history.

Recently, they have set up M-PESA which helps transfer money for farmers and others all digitally, which helps keep records of their finances; Ushahidi which allows people to report violence anonymously online. Also, M-KOPA which sells solar panels that will charge their phones and keep on lights in the house. In addition, there was eLimu which is an education company that will help the students learn through using tablets and online games.

However, it was not all just the great advances Africa was using, but also challenges Africa was facing technology wise. For example, Africa is lagging behind in access to technology and an uneven spread of the internet through out the continent.

Also, they were asking for Africa to buy in and the hospitals around there to buy these technologies so they can have access to the different advancements that can help their lives. That way, they can bring in companies and have hubs in Africa instead of importing the technology.

According to Gomes, “Four out of every 10 scientists are abroad. Because of this they are not considered African scientists.” This creates a need for scientists and hubs of technology to be in Africa so they can be close to the advancements. When asked about why Africa needed local hubs of technology instead of just importing the technology, he responded, “There’s a chance they will be better adapted. As opposed to trying to fit it to Kenyan context for example. For them to have that research lab actually in Kenya (would better) fit them.”

“They are in this stage of catch up,” Crofford said. “They are kind of having to start from behind as far as access to (technology) goes. I would say they are in a position to catch up quicker.”

These technologies have made their way to Africa and proponents are optimistic that they will catapult Africa into a strong standing with the rest of the world.

According to reuters.com fewer than one in three Africans has a mobile phone. This slows down the access to Internet and slows communication from workers to consumers or bigger venders.

Crofford also stated that World Bank shows 50 in 100 Africans now have a cell phone, up from just 10 in 100 just a few years ago.

Meghan Gallagher, senior at the University of Oklahoma, attended the lecture. “ I think that the lectures like this are really important to open a dialogue about things that are happening around the world.” Gallagher went on to say, “I think that these technologies are gonna be really important for bringing Africa out of the poverty trap it seems to be in right now.”

Africa is catching up, but they are not yet where they need to be. As Crofford said before, they are playing catch up. Crofford and Gomes called for hospitals and businesses to “buy in”. They can buy the technologies and keep them in Africa instead of having to import everything. They believe these technologies will help education, and education will spur investment, which will spur their infrastructure;  the result of all of this will be local solutions instead of international help, and international applications instead of just local applications.

Lead in: I think that the lectures…

AUDIO : Ryan King, runtime : 13 seconds