Johannesburg, 30 Nov 2007
Technology and innovation is imperative to the success of initiatives aimed at reconstruction and development within Africa. Socio-economic programmes, such as the state-backed New Partnership for Africa Development (NEPAD), have some degree of dependence on connectivity and infrastructure.
South Africa has a very important role to play in directing technology adoption and use within the Africa region.
The country is widely regarded as a frontrunner in terms of the spread of information, communication and digital lifestyle solutions and is generally looked to for support, supply and strategy among those states that have to keep up with advances.
There is no doubt that the ICT sector remains the fastest growing market segment within the local economy - it continues to support efforts to address social issues such as poverty, job creation and skills development, and is also the backbone that holds up and sustains progress within both the public and private sectors.
Innovation can take on many forms, and while there is an appreciation for what it can do in society, there are definite challenges that continue to hamper progress.
Access to resources, external factors that affect trade and establishing long-term operations (political strife, for example) and available finance for product research and development, are just some of the more complex issues that represent stumbling blocks.
However, it is the very nature of innovation that makes the very word evoke hope and expectation. To innovate is to embark on a quest for the new, to challenge the status quo and to rejuvenate - that is the principle according to which South African ICT companies must engage the global market.
Africa has a lot to offer and now has the opportunity to leverage off global recognition for its potential as a destination for lucrative trade and tourism, especially in light of the much anticipated FIFA World Cup in 2010.
Innovation does not mean simply coming up with something new, nor does it allude to tweaking or customising an existing technology for the sake of change. In fact, for innovation to mean anything at all it has to take into consideration the needs of those for whom it is meant.
In fact, there is every reason to believe that technology will help drive the rebirth of the Africa continent - a long-term process that will depend, quite extensively, on the continent`s ability to communicate in real-time, to take advantage of commercial opportunity through technology and to build and sustain services with the help of modern IT systems and networks.
While the South African market is mindful of the complexity and urgency of the task ahead, there are positive developments that help to boost our collective confidence and desire to win over the sceptics.
In areas such as Botswana, Mozambique and Nigeria local businesses are actively seeking to partner with managed services providers in South Africa in a bid to enhance or increase their ICT capability.
Basic requirements have shifted - spearheaded by economic direction, the ever-changing dynamics of trade and investment and an expansion in markets - to incorporate advanced networking solutions, software as a service, virtualisation, new messaging platforms and other key strategic advances in infrastructure development.
The underlying motivation is not only to generate business, and contribute meaningfully towards the economy, but to also keep up with international trends and demands.
In Africa, as in many other regions throughout the world, the corporate sector is leading the race in technology adoption and integration. As is the case in South Africa, there is a concerted effort to grow the small-to-medium sectors in many countries throughout the continent - but sustainability, addressing immediate logistic and other pressing needs must happen first before these trade areas are focused upon.
By pursuing opportunity to invest in Africa, South African ICT companies are not only expanding their own trade frontiers, but are also adhering to a number of key objectives covered in the internationally recognised 'Millennium Plan` (which also forms part of South Africa`s foreign policy).
In addition to several political/socio-economic objectives, this plan also covers the tasks of peace-keeping, alleviation of poverty, continued support for UN programmes, among others.
We look forward to increasing trade and investment opportunity in Africa and transferring the benefit of enhanced ICT and telecommunications services.
By Robert Sussman, joint MD at Integr8 IT
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