By Faustine Ngila
Developing countries must immediately take control of their own digital destinies or risk losing out on the Fourth Industrial Revolution race.
The sentiments were made during the launch of The Digital Manifesto in Nairobi, where African nations were urged to be firmly on the driving seat in unlocking their digital economies.
The manifesto titled The Digital Roadmap: How Developing Countries Can Get Ahead, shows how low-income states can harness new technologies to deliver inclusive development.
The Pathways for Prosperity Commission co-chair and founder of technology and energy group Econet, Strive Masiyiwa highlighted the power of digital technologies in growing businesses and national economies. He was, however, quick to add that to benefit from the new technologies, African countries have to design a workable plan.
“Digital tools enable entrepreneurs to access markets and help governments deliver services more efficiently to citizens. However, without visionary planning and 21st century skills training for everyone, these same technologies over time could lead to job losses and escalate financial inclusion snags…
