09 Dec 2023

In order for Africa to thrive on a global scale, a paradigm shift towards embracing and investing in technology is crucial. This sentiment was echoed by panelists at the 5^th  Kusi Ideas Festival in Gaborone.

The panelists emphasised the need to incorporate technology, science, research, and innovation into traditional education systems. They urged policymakers and implementers to reevaluate their approach to involving youth in Africa's technological advancement.

"We must teach them to be creative thinkers. Additionally, a significant number of young people in Africa are unemployed," said Ms Mary Nyaruai, the founder of Nyonga Africa, based in Kenya.

Ms Nyaruai suggested that upskilling youth in technology and fostering creative thinking could help combat joblessness and empower the younger generation. She also highlighted the importance of research programs geared towards commercialisation, adding that many African researchers lacked the necessary funding and support to implement their innovative ideas. Currently, she said  Africa produced only two per cent of the world's research output and spends approximately one per cent of its GDP on research.

According to the International Finance Corporation, by 2030, around 230 million jobs in Africa will require digital skills. Ms Nyaruai identified these statistics as part of the challenges facing the continent. She praised Kenya's success in innovation and financial technology, suggesting that other African countries could learn from and strengthen their own innovation ecosystems. Kenya's 10-year Innovation Master Plan and its Innovation Agency, which helps researchers commercialise their ideas, were cited as significant factors in Kenya's success.

Mr Martin Stimela, the CEO and co-founder of Brastorne, a Botswana-based company said there was need to revamp the education sector to foster innovation. "If we invest in education for innovation, we will witness Africa becoming more innovative,"Mr  Stimela said.

 He believed that changing the education system would influence how people approach various tasks, as education played a vital role in preparing individuals for industries.

Mr Stimela also highlighted the challenges Africa faced due to political regimes that often create policies and programs to appease voters without considering long-term visions. He advocated for meaningful engagement with the youth, who constitute a significant portion of Africa's population, when shaping policies.

Mr Stimela further addressed the impact of onerous regulations on local entrepreneurs, stressing the importance of rethinking standards and regulations to foster a conducive environment for African businesses.

The Kusi Ideas Festival, focused on Africa Agenda 2063 and aimed to turn this vision into reality.