Africa's Technology Futures: Three Scenarios
This report explores three potential scenarios for the future of technology in Sub-Saharan Africa, focusing on the creation, ownership, and adaptation of technology within the region.
(Generated with the help of GPT-4)
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Report location: | source |
| Language: | English |
| Publisher: |
Boston University - The Frederick S. Pardee Center For The Study Of The Longer-Range Future |
| Authors: | Dirk Swart |
| Geographic focus: | Africa |
Methods
The research method involves scenario planning, analyzing a set of driving forces, effects, and change triggers that influence technology in Africa, and presenting three feasible futures based on this analysis.
(Generated with the help of GPT-4)
Key Insights
The report examines the potential for Sub-Saharan Africa to effectively create, own, and harness homegrown technology, as well as adapt non-African technologies into innovation cycles. It identifies key drivers affecting technology in Africa, such as demographics, governance, and globalization, and presents three scenarios: “Use, don't own,” “Pockets of innovation,” and “Leapfrogging.” The current state is used as a baseline, highlighting the risks of assuming Africa will follow the West's technological trajectory. The analysis suggests enhancing market capabilities, improving governance, and constructive external intervention are necessary for desirable outcomes.
(Generated with the help of GPT-4)
Additional Viewpoints
Categories: Africa geographic scope | English publication language | demographics | economic development | entrepreneurship | external intervention | general | globalization | governance | human development | internal continental relations | safety | scenarios | security | sub-saharan africa | technology | trends