African firms should ride on technology to innovate and grow
Primary school pupils learn to use laptops. The biggest disadvantage for Africa is that it has not been able to perfect technology transfer. FILE
American astronomer Carl Sagan once said that civilisation is arranged in such a way that most crucial elements profoundly depend on science and technology. New forms of technology are taking over businesses and governments alike.
In Kenya, governance has depended on technology to operate since independence, albeit it being old technology.
However, the real heroes of technology in Kenya are businesses. Most businesses have computerised their operations with records being adequately backed up.
Further, checks and balances have been put in the systems to minimise fraud, enhance management and accountability. A good bulk of the technology imported in this country goes to the private sector.
Many will remember a time when companies wanted to introduce combine harvesters in tea estates, prompting a conflict as employees were set to lose their jobs. The truth is, technology lowers the cost of doing business and enhances efficiency and businesses will not hesitate adopting it.
Efficiency is entrenched in tech businesses being conducted in the country today. I know individuals who make money from the internet without stepping out of their homes. Further, there are online businesses where blogs and websites are created and corporate organisations are asked to advertise at a premium.
Further, make turn to online markets to sell products and services. Social media platforms are used to mint millions. Many small businesses are making money through Facebook and Twitter.
The biggest disadvantage for Africa is that it has not been able to perfect technology transfer. Asia has really grown in getting foreign technology, training its people in its use and maintenance and developing better models for the region.
A local engineer tells me that until we learn reverse engineering, our technology transfer is not complete.
Today, there are new brilliant ideas coming from Kenya which are not being put to use. From choppers, to mobile technology to software... its all here.
Yet there is no real budget for research and development, neither by the public nor the private sector. The need for new technology is great.
Depending on foreign technology might not give the economic impetus to compete globally, and there is need for technology transfer and growth in Africa. If your business can help develop local inventions, grab the opportunity.
Odhiambo is managing consultant at Elim Consulting.
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