Focus on technological innovation beneficial for African development
Posted October 7th, 2013 by admin & filed under International Economics & Development, News, Telecom, Information & Internet Policy.
In a recent piece for the South African publication Southern Times, Lazarus Sauti, a columnist from Zimbabwe, underscores the importance of technological innovation as a means for African countries “foster social and economic development.”
Citing Francis Gurry, Director-General of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), who says that policy makers have “a unique opportunity to define the key role that science, technology and innovation can play in achieving the development goals of the African continent,” Sauti argues that “wireless communications broaden access to information, improve capital access, overcome geographic limitations and expand market access,” and calls for policy makers to “redouble their efforts to support this field and form partnerships that harness its power” in Africa.
Against the backdrop of a growing body of evidence supporting his thesis that technological innovation is a game changer particularly for the disadvantaged and women, is driving GDP growth, and is becoming an equalizer between cities and rural areas, policy makers in Africa – and around the globe – would indeed be well-advised to heed Sauti’s call.
In a recent piece for the South African publication Southern Times, Lazarus Sauti, a columnist from Zimbabwe, underscores the importance of technological innovation as a means for African countries “foster social and economic development.”
Citing Francis Gurry, Director-General of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), who says that policy makers have “a unique opportunity to define the key role that science, technology and innovation can play in achieving the development goals of the African continent,” Sauti argues that “wireless communications broaden access to information, improve capital access, overcome geographic limitations and expand market access,” and calls for policy makers to “redouble their efforts to support this field and form partnerships that harness its power” in Africa.
Against the backdrop of a growing body of evidence supporting his thesis that technological innovation is a game changer particularly for the disadvantaged and women, is driving GDP growth, and is becoming an equalizer between cities and rural areas, policy makers in Africa – and around the globe – would indeed be well-advised to heed Sauti’s call.
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