CIO OPINION
Beyond skills , experience on the ground in Africa reveals that infrastructure provides another obstacle to Digital Transformation .
went from nothing to transacting with an e-wallet . This doesn ’ t ordinarily happen in developed markets . However , this innovation can only take the continent so far from a Digital Transformation perspective . So , what can the continent do ?
There needs to be a concerted effort to roll out ICT infrastructure on the continent . This requires buy-in and the lobbying of governments and regulators . The rollout can be expedited with strategic publicprivate partnerships .
A study published in the IIMB Management Review Journal 2018 called “ ICT infrastructure and economic growth : A causality evinced by cross-country panel data ”, based on information gathered from G-20 nations , found that to stimulate economic growth , a country needs to upgrade and roll out ICT infrastructure with a focus on broadband adoption .
Upskilling within IT departments also has a key role to play in ensuring there are enough skills on the continent . As an industry , every one of us needs to continually learn – both formally and informally . Businesses would do well to incentivise skills development and this is the reason companies such as Veeam invest so much time in career development of its employees with vast internal training programmes but also as a 100 % channel business there is a dedicated effort on ongoing partner training . Skills are the currency of IT .
Ebene Cybercity in Mauritius is a useful case study . Originally designed to attract ICT companies , it now houses financial services , consulting firms and others from several countries . Every plot of land has been utilised and its 45 office blocks provide jobs for 30,000 people .
In Cybercity , there is a well-educated Mauritian population that is employable and affordable compared to developed markets , they speak at least three languages , including French , Creole and English , and undersea fibre cables bring fast broadband infrastructure to the precinct . Each of these businesses , whether they are call centres or financial services firms , require further IT investment in the shape of cloud data management , data backup , security and more .
In parallel to a broad investment in ICT infrastructure , education must be prioritised . Education is the bedrock of skills development and futureproofing the nation . All efforts to lobby for broader inclusion should be supported and applauded , especially in South Africa ’ s context of institutionalised unequal access to quality education . Many businesses already offer internships and other skills-building initiatives and these are crucial in securing future workers for the industry .
This is an African example of economic growth and job creation driven by education , ICT infrastructure rollout and helped in no small measure by economic and political stability underpinned by reliable energy . Imagining Ebene Cybercity being magnified hundreds of times across the continent paints a picture of the potential this youthful continent has , waiting to be unleashed . All stakeholders pulling in the same direction can make this a reality . p
40 INTELLIGENTCIO AFRICA www . intelligentcio . com