Empowering African Youth Through Technology
by Adanma Osakwe
Technology has become a major driving force for change and opportunity throughout the world. It has transformed many lives, and the unprecedented access to technology that today’s youth in Africa have allows them to compete with their peers in the global digital economy.
Young people gain a major advantage in terms of education, economic, and social opportunities when they have access to computers. Strategic use of technology can boost wealth creation and alleviate unemployment– providing marginalized individuals in rural communities with technological tools for training can help them to realize their economic potential.
For example, mobile phone usage in African countries is still expanding faster than anywhere else in the world. The infrastructure for mobile phone networks is much cheaper and faster to establish than that required for fixed lines, and internet access can be brought to mobile phones to bypass the need for a computer to access the web. As a result, in Africa young people have been able to launch such entrepreneurial projects as selling telephone-based services, becoming information intermediaries, creating simple web pages in several languages and dialects, and creating community radio using the internet. These are just a few of the many ways in which young Africans have been able to change their economic standing and benefit their communities.
As the need for technological access increases globally, so does the need to improve and incorporate Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) into educational frameworks. ICT is an important tool for sharing and experiencing knowledge because it allows young people to connect to their peers around the globe. In addition to enhancing students’ research and critical thinking skills, ICT exposes young people to new cultures and global best practices.
Students and other young people with ICT training are able to connect to opportunities, information, and networks that help them cross cultures and contribute to sustained socio-economic growth in their countries. As Rwandan President Paul Kagame wrote recently, governments and other organizations ought to make technological access and ICT training one of their top priorities in building strategies for long-term development in Africa.
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Chau Minh | Sep 2, 2009 | Reply
well technology is always the best investment to push the economy and also the ability to join in the global technology. Africa has a big young population which is very suitable and reasonable to do a revolution in technology in this continent.
Jenaya | Sep 2, 2009 | Reply
I think it is great that people in Africa are taking advantage of the advancement of technology. Technology is a driving force that continues to grow in education and employment all over the world so those who take advantage of it will have a greater opportunity of advancing in life. Good article Adanma, keep spreading the knowledge!
Nico | Sep 6, 2009 | Reply
We might also want to pay attention to the independence of technology development in Africa, especially in the long run. Educating African youth might therefore become important and crucial.
Enyi-Ineh Chukwudi. A | Sep 12, 2009 | Reply
There is no doubt whatsoever that information technology is the key to endless opportunities. it reduces deception, enhances learning, increases awareness. The internet informs all who are interested, and builds friendship. it unites and strengthens relations. there are many more things yet to be enjoyed from this information technology.
the beauty of it for me is that it is a development of its own that can retain a lot of topographical features.
Africa in her development process is enjoying IT, and that is amazing.
Phuong Nam Nguyen | Sep 13, 2009 | Reply
Adanma Osakwe I am so very proud of you, well articulated! Great article, well done! This insightful article underlines the fact that services that are over and above merchandise trade a robust growth strategy in development policies. This is definitely a great path to development policies for Africa and should be more clearly incorporated into Africa’s poverty reduction strategies and national development plans. Keep climbing- the sky is your limit!
Always,
Phuong Nam Nguyen
Mairi | Sep 15, 2009 | Reply
Adanma your article about Africa and Information Technologies was excellent! You really did that? I think it’s great how you incorporated the poverty rates (high) in which how
you want to reduce them with the new technology. I don’t see why the world we live in can’t aknowledge that because with the way technology is sky-rocketing you’d think someone would be able to help a hand! Seriously though, great job on the article. What did your group/intern think of your article when it was all done edited? I hope you got a great deal of recognition!!!
Valerie F. | Sep 19, 2009 | Reply
Great piece Adanma! You make a great arguement for the importance of advancing technology in rural communities. I’m happy to hear that such developments are being made, and you’ve become part of the solution by highlighting them. Proud of you girl! Continue using your God-given gifts and talents and you’ll reach heights you never imagined!
Ted | Oct 4, 2009 | Reply
I’ve read two of your articles and so far they are very good! I agree to the point that technology could boost the economy not just in Africa but any country. I thought you gave very descriptive details on the importance of technology in Africa. Excellent work Adanma! I want to read more!
tracy | Oct 9, 2009 | Reply
This is a very good article,it is absolutely true that the technology would help to improve the economy.You really did a great job..keep it up
Nneka Osakwe | Nov 8, 2009 | Reply
Its very interesting educative and above all intelligent.
Nneka Osakwe | Nov 8, 2009 | Reply
IT IS NOT ONLY IN THE WORDS OF THIS PROLIFIC WRITER BUT IN THE MIND (HEART) OF THE ONE WHO WROTE, I KNOW THIS MUCH AND CAN SEE VERY WELL WHAT THIS ARTICULATE ARTIST IS TRYING TO CONVEY, HAVING HAD FIRST HAND EXPERIENCE OF WHAT LIFE AND TECHNOLOGY IS ALL ABOUT IN AFRICA (NIGERIA).THANKS Adanma 4 this wonderful piece