Page 69 - Msingi Afrika Magazine Issue 10

ECONOMY

Dillys P. Mundrugo is an ICT consultant
with a passion for conducting research and in a given season. in the urban and rural areas of the
implementation of practical tech solutions It is no secret that shipping products continent to ensure sustainable en-
gagement at all times. In many areas,
across the Atlantic may be much
for businesses. She is currently involved in cheaper than transporting the same the cost of doing business online
rolling out OpenEA instant online store volume of goods across two borders is either still very high or there’s a
solutions for businesses, a product that en- in Africa! Most likely even faster. lack of reliable connection. All this
becomes a bottleneck in the quality
ables the setup and management of Global trade rules and speed of service delivery with
easy-to-use e-commerce solutions for stores, Africa should consider the bargain- some areas being left out of the
restaurants and food deliveries. ing power it can hold in world trade ongoing digital shift.
as a single bloc if they went in as
one single market in the face of Adaptation to technology
countries like China and the United across Africa
States tightening their grip on many Traditionally, ICT, like medicine, was
nations. one of those fields that has been
handled with a ‘leave it to the ex-
Digital infrastructural perts’ mentality. Not anymore! More
challenges and more people now knowing that
Over the past years, there has been a they cannot entirely do away with
rapid shift in installation and imple- technology in today’s world, have
mentation of internet and commu- undergone the necessary mind shift
nications-related solutions across needed for embracing technological
the continent. More and more tools as a way of life and doing busi-
people have embraced the new shift ness on a day-to-day basis.
with the adaptation of tech-based
solutions silently sweeping through It’s interesting to note the number
potential. [2] all sectors across the continent. of companies and governments that
are currently involved in projects
There will be a need to make way The current technological revolution and programs that are aimed at
for easy and quick facilitation of in Africa cannot be ignored. There reducing the digital gap in various
people and goods in Africa because are new opportunities in investing nations. These projects are great
currently there is so much fragmen- in tech-based business incubators in investments in building the capacity
tation with economies at widely support of innovative solutions that of the general populations involved
varying stages of development. For have the potential of not only lifting and thereby investing in the future
this to work out, creating supportive millions out of poverty but also al- economic sustainability of Africa
policies, eliminating monopolies and tering the socio-economic landscape as a whole. The investments cur-
stamping out uncooperative behav- of the African continent in coming rently going into the tech hubs and
ior will need to be looked into. years. reducing the skills gap in Africa will
Infrastructure and border jams In the past few years, we have seen definitely boost the general GDP of
While many countries have come new tech-based developments in all the continent in coming years.
a long way in improving their road areas not just limited to the busi-
and rail networks, in a bid to im- ness sector. Areas like agriculture, Doing Business Online
prove trans national movement of finance, transport, education and Corona-virus pandemic boosts on-
goods, we cannot ignore the delays government can all attest to taking line trade in Africa
that currently exist at most bor- up new tech tools and solutions that This year more than ever, people
der points, with countless stamps, have helped improve their efficiency were woken to alternative ways of
signatures and certificates required and service delivery. doing business when many of us
to move a container from one point It’s therefore fair to say that we have were locked down due to the global
to another. These not only pose come a long way, but more can still corona-virus pandemic that is still
challenges to those dealing with be done. affecting us globally. Both big and
perishable products but also reduce How? There’s need for affordable small entrepreneurs were forced to
the number of trips one can make and reliable access to internet and reconsider how to continue serving
telecommunication facilities both their clients, manage their teams and

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