African Technology Development

Guest post by: Henk Boshoff
Become an Author

Free PDF Download
African Technology Development - By Henk Boshoff

The problem with Knowledge in Africa

In contrast to the development of technology for Africa is an interesting demographic layout, where one may find high level technology and knowledge driven societies and infrastructure in areas like Sandton in Johannesburg (South-Africa) vs areas where there are barely any technology and knowledge a few kilometers away.

Most technology development in Southern Africa occurs at these technology driven hubs, or even in developed countries like the United States. A large amount of the population in these highly developed areas simply don't know or don't care about the poverty and lack of living conditions caused by the technology void beyond the city boundaries. Thus the technology and knowledge with which these societies operates does not apply to the development of the region. The result being that the more isolated in Africa the less knowledge, often resulting in extreme poverty. The major criticism on developing technology for the poor and rural parts of Africa, is based on the quality of the market. Being poor, removed from any technology and in survival mode cause the market expectation to be much less than in comparison to developed countries. This is exaggerated by the reality that millions of people have to survive on less than $1.25 per day (South Africa 26% of its population, Namibia 49%, Mozambique 75% source: UNICEF info by country)

Hence not only do technology developers for Africa, need to re-think and debate the concept of development project planning. They also need to re-think the products being delivered on the ground.

Enabling technologies.

Alternative to high technology products, based on the biggest and fastest technologies, software, and gadgets, should be a technology developed for a specified environment. This technology is an enabling technology. An example would be a bicycle without pedals (push-bike) to reduce manufacturing costs. To a citizen in a developed country it may be seen as an ancient form of transport, but to a person in Africa it could be a very cheap alternative to walking. Another example being a leaflet describing how to create a sterilization kit from old tin cans. It might sound ridiculous to a medical doctor in the United States, but to a breastfeeding mother in rural Africa, it means she could prevent the transfer of HIV to her baby.

These technologies may require the same, if not more engineering skills than high complexity systems. But the mindset changes from using the latest and the best components, to using the best components with reduced cost for the task at hand. It is required that the assumptions based on a technology driven society be discarded, and that it gets replaced by inside knowledge of the technology environment where the product will be used.

This implies that entrepreneurial developments in Africa needs to be created from within its own communities. The African entrepreneur needs to be trained in the basic concept of engineering, or be involved with bridging engineering companies to bridge the gap between a-technology requirements and typical technology driven solutions. The effect of bridging the technology gap would prevent high-technology dumping, where technology transfer is very expensive but totally useless. For example, a company installed water based toilets in rural South-Africa, only to realize that the local population couldn't afford proper toilet paper. Hence it clogged up withing a few weeks. Another example is a large IT business that donated computers to a rural school. On delivery it was found that the school didn't have electricity. These engineering companies should understand the requirements of enabling technologies and guard against the development and supply of complex, expensive products that needs knowledge and infrastructure, as opposed to products based on enabling technologies that could create an entrepreneurial cycle and thus improve the local economies. Having primary technologies and creation of economies, could then further nurture growth and feedback for more advanced technologies, since technology may be a multiplier of capabilities.

This dynamic causes a dual advantage for both technology driven as well as rural a-technology entrepreneurs. For technology driven entrepreneurs it is important to obtain local knowledge from rural areas before developing products for these areas. For rural entrepreneurs it is important to realize that technology hubs exist, and by connecting with the entrepreneurs in these hubs, products could be developed that does improve the local economy.

New Partnership for Africa’s Development

African Digerati: Emeka Okafor

SMEs - a challenge for African countries

Cheetah Index to Premiere Soon!

Macroeconomic “Shock-absorbers” for Africa

SMEs - SMEs and South African banks

III. A. China’s African Policy and New Commitments for 2007–09: THE ROLE OF CHINA’S PUBLIC SECTOR

Facts about SMEs in Africa

The Quandry: Building Web Apps in Africa

18.0 Conclusion: Entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship in Africa

Wanted: jobs for Africa’s youth - Policy Reforms

6.5 Financing research to increase TFP: Economic Report on Africa 2007

Blogging Africa into the 21st Century

VII D. Promote Institutional Investors: PROMOTING STOCK MARKET DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA

SMEs - surviving the recession in Africa

4.0 Diversification trends in Africa: Economic Report on Africa 2007

3.3 Conclusion: Economic Report on Africa 2007

5.5 Energy access as market failure: Enterprise solutions to poverty

IV Module I Key Principles for an African Model of Microfinance

17.0 What Needs to be Done - Mainstreaming Entrepreneurship: Entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship in Africa

Home > African-Accounts > Henk Boshoff > African Technology Development > Google +

Free PDF Download
African Technology Development - By Henk Boshoff

About the Author: Henk Boshoff

RSS for Henk Boshoff's articles - Visit Henk Boshoff's website
Henk started his career with a diploma in electrical engineering. He then worked as an electronic lab and production line technician gaining valuable experience on manufacturing and testing processes. During this time he obtained his BTech degree in Engineering at the Tswane University of Technology. Soon afterwards he obtained a Bsc(Honours) degree from the University of Pretoria. This allowed him to move into an engineering position where he spent 6 years on electronic hardware and software designs focusing mainly in data communications and data communication protocols. During this period he obtained his MSc from the University of Pretoria. His mini thesis provided a new method of investigating organisational learning capability and the management style requirements to achieve it. With the help of a case analysis it showed that the organizational structure and culture generates a feedback cycle, which can be used as a baseline for future organizational learning. The MSc allowed him the opportunity to move onto engineering management projects. Henk then ventured on his own by starting the company S-Curve technologies, doing strategic technology development and consulting.

Click here to visit Henk Boshoff's website.

More from Henk Boshoff
What Can Be Done in North America to Help Better Support African Entrepreneurship
How My Company Got Started
Whats Next for My Company
African Technology Development
My Advice For Other African Startups

Share this article. Fund someone's dream.

Share this post and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

African Technology Development

Related Articles

Related Forum Posts

Share this article. Fund someone's dream.


Name:
Email: