Today, we look at the Impact of Technology on Africa as a continent greatly Lacking in terms of Technical Knowledge necessary in for deployment, operation and maintenance of Modern Technologies.
Its no surprise that Africa is still very far down the Technological pecking order. Today the African Continent through the African Union and ECOWAS has recognized the importance of Technology in achieving Sustainable Development Goals SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production)
This has led to African Union, ECOWAS, AfCFTA and other notable bodies to give serious attention to African Technology Investment in terms of Technology, Innovation Startup Support, Skilling, Mentorship and Funding. This move is aimed at improving Technology Innovations, Manufacturing and Productivity in the African continent.
What is The impact of Technology on Africa as a continent greatly lacking greatly in proper Technical Knowledge
In terms of Technical Knowledge, the African Continent Lags greatly behind and this posses a huge danger to Technological growth in the African Continent.
Despite the great economic potentials Technology posses for Africa, without proper Technical Experts, Skilled Professionals, Tutors and Strong Legislation, the African Continent will not be able to Sustainable implement, safely operate, and maintain new foreign Technologies.
For example, The African Continent greatly craves the introduction of Electric Vehicle’s and Motorcycles today, inorder to replace the Unsustainable Climate Destroying Fuel (PMS) Cars and Motorcycles. However, without Locally Skilled Electric Vehicle & Motorcycle Manufacturers, Assemblers, and Maintenance Engineers, this dream of replacing Fuel run Vehicles with Electric Vehicle’s will never Sustainably Materialize for Africa.
New African Electric Vehicle owners could be easily caught in a quagmire due to Lack of Maintenance Engineers, Adequate Charging Stations and Replacement parts.
Another good Example of How the Absence of Properly Skilled Technical Professionals is greatly affecting Africa can be Seen in The Newly Constructed Food Basket Brewery located in Benue State Nigeria.
This new Food Basket Brewery an initiative of the Present Governor of Benue State, his Excellency Very Rev, Fr, Hyacinth Alia, has been fully Constructed by the Benue State Government and currently undergoing Machine and Equipment Installations presently being carried out by Foreign International Expatriates at very huge and expensive daily costs.
These type of practices are Unsustainable for African development as the costs of Importing, and Paying for foreign Expertise in the Food Basket Brewery for Machine and Equipment Installations comes at huge costs not to include periodic maintenance and machine servicing which obviously will still be done by these same foreign Expatriates.
What Must Africa Do to Step up and Increase its Total number of Technically Skilled Professionals?
- Setup More Technical Colleges and Technical Schools for Professional Technical Trainings and Skills Acquisitions
- Employ Foreign University/Technical Student School Swap Programs
- Engage in Foreign Technical Trainings/Workshops for African University Graduates
- Setup More Technical Colleges and Technical Schools for Professional Technical Trainings and Skills Acquisitions
I have said this before, Africa must hastily stop building new Universities and rather setup new Institutes and Colleges for Professional Technical Trainings and Skills Acquisitions.
These newly designed, developed and operated Technical Schools and Training Colleges should be designed to streamline it’s curricular to focus on individual particular areas of Professional Technical Skills Acquisitions including Electrical, Mechanical, Computer Engineering, Furniture Production, Wood Technology, Bricklaying, Tilling and more.
By doing this, Africa will be producing graduates who are Technically Sound and well equipped with the Skills necessary to build, safely operate and maintain Africa’s Technologies.
2. Employ Foreign University/Technical Student School Swap Programs
African Governments and Educational Institution Leaders, should see the need to invest in Foreign Student Exchange Programs for African brightest Tech Innovators and Brains.
Though Foreign Exchange Programs, Africa’s Brightest Tech Students will be able to gain foreign Expertise and Experience in areas that require Technical Skills and apply these foreign gained Skills for the benefit of Africa.
3. Engage in Foreign Technical Trainings/Workshops for African University Graduates
African Governments and Educational Institution Leaders, should see the need to invest in Foreign Technical Training Programs and Workshops for Africa’s University Graduates, Tech Innovators and Brains.
Though Foreign Technical Trainings and Skills developing Workshops Africa’s Brightest University Graduates, will be able to gain foreign Expertise and Experience in areas that require Technical Skills and apply these foreign gained Skills for the benefit of Africa.
