How Activism is Driving the Growth of the African Tech Industry

by: Nongcebo Buthelezi

Over the past few years, the African tech industry has seen massive growth, thanks to various factors such as increased funding, government support, and a crop of young, talented entrepreneurs. One other factor that has contributed to the growth of the industry is activism. Activism, in this context, refers to the use of technology to drive social change and create a better society.

Activism has always played a significant role in shaping the African continent. From anti-colonial movements to more recent movements such as #BringBackOurGirls, #EndSARS, and #MeTooAfrica, activism has galvanized Africans to stand up for their rights and demand change. Today, technology has become a powerful tool for activism, and this has had a significant impact on the African tech industry.

One of the ways in which activism has driven the growth of the African tech industry is by increasing awareness of the potential of technology to solve societal problems. When activists use technology to raise awareness of social issues, they also showcase the potential of technology to solve these problems. This, in turn, inspires entrepreneurs to develop solutions that utilize technology to solve these problems. For instance, the #BringBackOurGirls movement brought to the fore the issue of child abduction in Nigeria, and this inspired entrepreneurs to develop apps that can help track missing children.

Another way in which activism has contributed to the growth of the African tech industry is by creating a demand for technology-based solutions. When activists use technology to drive social change, they create a demand for tech-based solutions to address these issues. This, in turn, creates opportunities for entrepreneurs to develop innovative solutions to address these issues. For instance, the #EndSARS movement in Nigeria led to the development of an app called "HelpNow," which allows people to report police brutality incidents and request legal aid.

Finally, activism has also contributed to the growth of the African tech industry by pushing governments to create policies that support innovation and entrepreneurship. When activists use technology to drive social change, they draw attention to the potential of technology to drive economic growth and development. This, in turn, puts pressure on governments to create policies that support innovation and entrepreneurship. For instance, the #MeTooAfrica movement drew attention to the issue of sexual harassment in the workplace, which led to the Kenyan government passing a law that requires all public and private institutions to have a policy on sexual harassment.

In conclusion, activism has played a significant role in driving the growth of the African tech industry. It has increased awareness of the potential of technology to solve societal problems, created a demand for technology-based solutions, and pushed governments to create policies that support innovation and entrepreneurship. As such, it is essential to continue supporting and promoting activism as a means of driving social change and fostering innovation in the African tech industry.