How Technology Will Destroy the Future of Africa Going Forward.

INTRODUCTION

It happened around 2022 when Nonso Okoroafor had a Twitter space where he invited people to discuss how technology will destroy Africa in the coming years. Fortunately, I was in space, and listening to people talk about how technology will destroy Africa is… not good for us here in Africa is why I am writing this article to call our attention to many important things we’ve ignored over the years.

In our current world today, Africa is the only continent that is lagging in everything. A friend of mine said Africa is behind what is behind the world; There are several reasons why that is happening. Trade infrastructure, weak connectivity, and knowledge ecosystems, among others, are just a few of the shortcomings as to why Africa is lagging behind the world regarding technology.

The “First” Technologies in Africa
Africa has a long history of technological innovation and ingenuity, with many ancient civilizations developing their technologies. Here are a few examples of early technologies in Africa:

1: Ancient Egyptian Technology: Ancient Egypt is renowned for its advanced technologies, including architecture, engineering, and medicine. The construction of the pyramids, the use of hieroglyphic writing, and advancements in medicine are notable achievements.

2: Nubian Technology: The Kingdom of Kush, located in what is now Sudan, was known for its ironworking skills. The Nubians were skilled blacksmiths and produced iron tools and weapons.

3: Carved Stone Structures: In various regions of Africa, ancient peoples created intricate stone structures. For example, the Great Zimbabwe ruins in Southern Africa are a testament to advanced stone masonry.

4: African Metallurgy: Iron smelting and forging were practised in Africa for centuries. The Bantu-speaking people, for instance, had knowledge of ironworking and agricultural practices that contributed to their successful migration across the continent.

## Chapter 1: Understanding the Challenges

Introduction:
Figuring out what went wrong despite technological progress is a complicated task. It means looking at the history, politics, economy, and society of different places. One significant factor is the impact of colonialism on Africa.

Colonialism in Africa:
Resource Exploitation: European powers took a lot from Africa, like minerals, timber, and crops, without considering how it might affect the environment or the people living there.

Economic Dependency: Colonial economies were set up to benefit the colonizers, not the local people. African countries became dependent on selling raw materials, and their economies were made to fit the needs of the colonial powers instead of helping the local communities grow.

## Chapter 2: The Japa Syndrome and How It Affects Tech in Africa

Introduction:
The Japa Syndrome, where skilled people leave Africa for better opportunities abroad, is mostly because of tough economic situations. This chapter looks at how this affects the tech industry, especially in countries like Nigeria.

Economic Challenges: Africa faces ongoing economic issues, like high unemployment and needing more access to good education and healthcare. This makes many Africans look for better chances outside their home countries.

What It Means for Tech: The Japa Syndrome has big effects on the tech industry:

1. Losing Skilled People: Skilled workers, like software engineers, are crucial for the local tech industry when they leave, there’s a direct loss of talent, and we might not have enough experts in important areas and this weakens the local tech workforce.

2. Less Innovation: Skilled workers drive new ideas and creations in tech If they leave, local tech industries might struggle to come up with new things and compete globally. Some people might not trust products made in Africa because they think we’re not as good at it.

3. Trust in Local Tech: Many Africans don’t trust products made by other Africans. They believe that better expertise and ideas are found outside the continent. Rebuilding trust in local tech is crucial for the tech industry in Africa to grow.

Chapter 3: Pursuit of Wealth Over Innovation

Introduction:
In the world of software engineering, there’s a new trend where some engineers are more interested in making money than coming up with new and creative solutions. This chapter explores the challenges that arise when financial gains become more important than innovation.

Money Comes First: Lately, many software engineers are choosing jobs based on how much money they can make, rather than focusing on creating new and interesting things. This shift raises concerns about how it might affect the future of the tech industry.

Short-Term Money vs. Long-Term Creativity: Engineers, tempted by high-paying jobs, might go for roles that promise quick money. However, this focus on short-term gains could mean they’re not spending enough time on projects that could bring about long-term innovation.

Impact on Technology: When engineers care more about money than making innovative things, it can slow down the progress of technology. The tech world needs creativity and problem-solving, and if everyone is only thinking about profits, it could hold back the development of cool new solutions.

Companies and Incentives: The culture and rewards provided by companies play a big role. If companies care more about making money than encouraging creativity, engineers might just follow what their employers want.

PS: You might want to read the full article on what made Patricia quit the operation here_

## How to Deal with the Challenge:
To get software engineers back to a balance between making money and being creative, it’s important to:

• Encourage Creativity: African tech companies should create an environment that values and rewards creativity, so engineers feel excited to work on new and interesting projects. Tech companies in Silicon Valley, known for valuing innovation, provide employees with creative spaces and time for personal projects.

• Invest in Research: Tech companies should spend resources on research and development. This gives engineers a chance to work on projects that could be both financially successful and innovative. Tech giants like Google allocate significant resources to R&D, encouraging engineers to explore new ideas and contribute to cutting-edge projects and this is why we have many projects built by Google engineers like, Gmail, YouTube, Google Chrome, Google Maps, Google Meet and so many more

• Teach Innovation: Education should focus on why innovation and problem-solving are crucial. This helps shape the way future engineers think about their work. Renowned universities, such as MIT and Stanford, emphasize innovation in their computer science programs, instilling a mindset that values creative problem-solving.

## Chapter 4: Taking Shortcuts in Software Engineering Education

Introduction:

In the high-speed world of software engineering, some people choose quick employment over thorough learning. This chapter explores the outcomes of this shortcut approach, leading to the development of what we might call “half-baked” software engineers.

Choosing Work Over Learning: Many aspiring software engineers now prioritize immediate job opportunities over investing time in comprehensive learning. This shortcut mentality raises concerns about the depth of knowledge and skills these engineers bring to the field.

Implications of Skipping Learning:

1. Incomplete Skill Set: Engineers who rush into jobs may lack a full understanding of the crucial principles and advanced concepts in software development.

2. Limited Problem-Solving Abilities: Quick employment seekers might struggle with complex problem-solving since they may not have delved deeply into the theoretical aspects of software engineering. This is why, some African tech companies, often have to hire developers from Asia or Europe to fix broken systems.

3. Reduced Innovation Potential: Skipping learning can stifle creativity, limiting the potential for innovative thinking and leading to the failure of tech startups in Africa after just a few years in the market.

Industry Impact:

1. Quality of Products: Software products developed by engineers with incomplete training may suffer from lower quality, leading to potential issues and bugs.

2. Stagnation in Advancements: A workforce that values quick employment over learning may contribute to a stagnant tech industry, hindering progress and innovation.

Addressing the Issue:

1. Promoting Continuous Learning: Encouraging a culture of ongoing learning within the industry can discourage the tendency to prioritize immediate employment over thorough education. Tech companies should establish in-house educational programs, teaching software engineers Data Structures and Algorithms, Software Engineering, and more.

2. Mentorship Programs: Creating mentorship programs enables experienced professionals to guide newcomers, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and skill development.

3. Industry Standards and Certification: Implementing and recognizing industry standards and certifications can motivate engineers to complete comprehensive training before entering the workforce, ensuring a more competent and skilled pool of professionals.

## Conclusion: Facing Challenges in Africa’s Tech Journey Looking at how technology is shaping Africa’s future, some concerns need attention. From losing talented individuals to the risk of prioritizing money over innovation, these challenges could impact the continent’s tech growth.

As Africa steps into the tech era, it’s important to tackle these challenges head-on. Balancing the positive aspects of technology while addressing the risks is key to ensuring a future where technology supports Africa’s development instead of posing threats to its progress.

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