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Everyone knows the size of the challenge: Africa’s demographic dividend has arrived, but the jobs have not.
So where should the energy be spent? Will new technology hinder or aid Africa’s job creation?
- Long held up as a saviour, new technology – in AI, automation, and social media – may not be as helpful as we thought. If Africa’s future is climate insecurity and joblessness, any spare societal bandwidth needs to be spent on the basics; roads, schools, and climate change adaptation. Not chasing after Silicon Valley.
- But what if we can embrace technology more fully? If the biggest challenge for Africa is boosting the productivity of farmers, then the drone that maps soil fertility, the algorithm that matches a farmer to the best market for her product, and the weather and crop information alerts she receives on her phone are key to progress. If we are wise enough, Africa’s technology can enjoy leapfrog development and prepare for the jobs that have not even been invented yet.
Following on from our other successful debates in Accra, Geneva, London, Abidjan and Marrakech, The Africa Report is back in the economic capital of Côte d’Ivoire in Partnership with the Mo Ibrahim Foundation for its sixth debate this afternoon. The line up of high-profile speakers and experts includes:
- Akinwumi Adesina (@akin_adesina), President of the African Development Bank
- Pascal Lamy, French political consultant and businessman
- Chioma Agwuegbo (@ChiomaChuka), founder of TechHer, Nigeria
- Eric Kacou (@eric_kacou), founder and CEO of Entrepreneurial Solutions Partners
- Zyad Limam (@Zyad63), Editor-in-chief, Afrique Magazine
If you are not in Abidjan yourself tune in to our livestream on Facebook from 2.30pm.
Understand Africa’s tomorrow… today
We believe that Africa is poorly represented, and badly under-estimated. Beyond the vast opportunity manifest in African markets, we highlight people who make a difference; leaders turning the tide, youth driving change, and an indefatigable business community. That is what we believe will change the continent, and that is what we report on. With hard-hitting investigations, innovative analysis and deep dives into countries and sectors, The Africa Report delivers the insight you need.
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