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Where are Africa’s
Digital Entrepreneurs?
Felix Mwenge- Zambia
Felix Mwenge is an economist who was disconnected. The question is: Where are Africa’s
trained at the University of Zambia digital entrepreneurs to play their role?
Statistics in terms of ICT access and use remain
and the University of Cape Town. He
uninspiring in Africa. In 2018, an online source
currently works as a Research Fellow at known as Statista revealed that only 9% of
the Zambia Institute for Policy Analysis households owned a computer. Although this
and Research (ZIPAR). His research share was an improvement from the 3.5% in 2005,
the rate of change is too slow compared to coverage
focuses on youth unemployment, access
in other regions of the world. For example, 90% of
to finance, labour economics, skills households in Europe and the USA have access
development, living standards, health to a computer. Internet use, which is a lifeline for
and education policy. modern trade, communications, and technology
applications in almost all sectors has also been
he globe has gone digital. Computers progressing slowly in Africa. The African
and the Internet have transformed the Development Bank estimated that in 2013,
Tworld and remain the most influential Internet penetration was below 20% compared
innovations of our time. Yet Africa remains to around 90% in the USA. This is despite rapid
behind in adopting computer systems and the expansion in using mobile phones and mobile
pace of ICT development is too slow to catch up technology applications on the continent.
with the rest of the world. What Africa needs is These gaps provide an opportunity for African
an abundant supply of computers and increased entrepreneurs to move in and offer solutions. This
access to the Internet for the masses who remain will increase access to the Internet and ICTs
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