Neeraj Pradhan, Acting Chief Executive Officer, Liquid Kenya
Africa’s tech ecosystem is brimming with opportunities. Stakeholders in the continent’s digital future need to commit to the investments that will realise this potential.
Experts predict that universal, affordable, and good-quality broadband internet access in Africa by 2030 is possible. They also say that nearly 1.1 billion new unique users must be connected to make this happen, at an estimated cost of US$100 billion. It’s clear that a significant investment is needed to bridge the continent’s digital divide.
Africa is ready for the digital future
Africa’s young, tech-hungry population, the availability of smartphones and digital tools, and an explosion in tech ecosystems like Kenya’s Silicon Savannah all present opportunities for digital investment. With digital infrastructure like fibre, wireless, and satellite becoming more accessible, growth in areas such as fintech, e-commerce, and education is accelerating, and startups are booming. Connectivity is what enables these businesses to participate in the modern economy.
Navigating barriers to digital investment
While opportunities for digital investment in Africa are growing, a few important areas still need to be addressed to unlock even more potential. These include ensuring a more consistent power supply, safeguarding infrastructure, aligning regulatory frameworks across markets, and expanding access to smart devices in underserved segments. At the same time, addressing skills gaps and improving talent retention can help accelerate progress.
While not insurmountable, tackling these challenges needs a collective, long-term effort from all stakeholders – governments, private sector players, and communities alike. This ranges from connectivity to social impact initiatives, energy-efficient infrastructure, and appropriate regulatory frameworks.
While companies like Liquid have made progress, of course more can always be done. It’s about understanding Africa’s unique markets, identifying gaps, and providing solutions.
For instance, in Kenya’s SME-driven economy, we’ve expanded our SME-specific solutions. We’re also focusing on empowering the country’s next generation of users, providing connectivity to schools in remote areas, offering scholarships, and supporting STEM education. All of this is backed by our 110,000 km fibre network across Africa. From a government perspective, Kenya’s Digital Acceleration Project specifically focuses on creating a digital economy that drives growth, employment opportunities, and much-needed investment.
Balancing long-term goals with immediate needs
Investing in digital infrastructure is a long-term commitment that requires strategic planning. It also doesn’t happen all at once. In fact, it’s sensible to start with the basics and add functionalities over time as user requirements change and mature. Once connectivity is guaranteed, more complex layers like cloud, cyber security, and advanced artificial intelligence (AI) solutions can be added as needed.
The latter has significantly accelerated Africa’s digital transformation and is proving to be a game-changer for organisations that embrace it. Recognising AI’s potential to address real-world problems, Liquid has invested in the technology and infrastructure to help businesses on the continent with African AI solutions. For us, it’s about understanding that futureproofing goes beyond connectivity to enabling intelligent, secure digital ecosystems.
Driving investment in Africa’s connected future is key
Quite simply, investment in Africa’s digital future starts with ensuring that all Africans can access the tools they need to navigate the digital economy. Next, it’s about tailoring these solutions to local realities. Africa’s infrastructure, tools, and skills must align with African users’ unique needs. Educating users, especially future generations, is also important, as it empowers them to use these technologies ethically and productively.
Smart, collaborative efforts by all affected role-players are key to meaningful investment in Africa’s connected future, providing both technology and opportunity.
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