Futurism in Africa: Creating New Realities With The Power of Technology

Words by Zaira Rasool and Alex David Pratt

WHAT ARE THE TECHNOLOGICAL POSSIBILITIES THAT EXIST IN THE GAMBIA AND IN AFRICA?

The significant impact of technology on society, culture, and economy is undeniable. It has now become common to discuss technology together with innovation, as well as becoming a growing consideration for the government, the law, social initiatives, and families to contend with.

How should we use technology for our benefit? What are the risks, and how do we manage them? How can we use technology to enhance our businesses? What safety measures do we need to take to protect our children from unwanted influence? What new possibilities in terms of careers and aspirations does technology make possible?

There are some pioneering examples of technology initiatives within Africa. Wave (Fintech) has taken Africa by storm, Maraphones (Locally Manufactured Smartphone), BuXin (Electric Vehicle), Kids in Tech (robotics) and Fortizo Technologies (consumer electronics) are but a few of many other examples. Within the Gambia itself, you see people solving a whole range of social problems with technology (you can hear more about it in this video).

In this article, we will dive deeper into the possibilities that exist for young Gambia, full of innovative and energetic minds who seek better opportunities and environments to thrive, to technologically advance their nations, and to contribute their innovative solutions to the global landscape.

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE LOOK LIKE? WHAT NEW REALITIES AND SOLUTIONS CAN BE CREATED THROUGH THE POWER OF TECHNOLOGY?

Opening up new ways of doing business, creating new lifestyles, and interacting with each other: The Gambia is in dire need of a change in the status quo. Most of the methods and processes of doing business and more are quite antiquated. Take, for instance, the banking sector; we should have passed the point where people have to queue for long hours just to withdraw money. Change should be initiated in the financial realm, as well as many other areas, and this necessary evolution is possible mainly through the transformative power of technology.

Opening up the imagination and sense of empowerment through technology: Until now, many within Africa may have felt limited by the skills, knowledge, and resources available within the country and, to some extent, lost hope or the ability to look to the sky and dream big. However, with the increasing access to technology and the access to information that comes with it, Gambians have new opportunities at their fingertips. With time, this allows us to dream bigger and imagine new realities for our prospects and lives.

A means of pulling us out of our boredom and suppressed ambitions into a world of possibilities: Technology wields the power of solving some of the most pressing problems in the Gambia, illegal migration included. We can create innovative solutions to these problems and then communicate and take action to solve them without the need to leave our homes. This is the power of technology. That isn’t to say that you should aim to rely on technology and never leave home, but when there is no other option (due to safety and accessibility issues), technology plays a key role in empowering people to make a difference. On a lighter note, boredom, suppressed ambitions, and depression can be resolved with virtual gaming experiences, or furthermore, other extended reality tools can aid youth to vividly live their dream lives and make income by gaming professionally.

Putting the Gambia on the global map: Although one of the smallest countries in Africa, The Gambia has the potential to be a pioneering hub of digital innovation. Like Cuba is known globally for its expert doctors, Gambia can champion its skills in technology and enterprise. The country is 65% under 25, many of whom are self-starters from a young age. The economy is, in bulk, self-employed rather than in jobs, with a large percentage of the population working in agriculture. This is a fertile breeding ground for the next generation of technology innovators solving some of the most pressing global problems in agriculture, urbanization, and youth unemployment.

HOW CAN WE MAKE THESE TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES HAPPEN IN THE GAMBIA? HOW SOON CAN IT HAPPEN?

Creating an open-source network, sharing skills, resources, and opportunities: An open-source approach to skills development is perfect for developing the technology ecosystem in a place like The Gambia. There is a sincere desire to grow and learn within the country, and a willingness to share and support each other is an integral part of the culture. This creates the perfect environment for a robust open-source culture to flourish - where skills and opportunities are resources that can be exchanged and traded between people and organizations for economic growth. In recent years, young Gambians have been able to access information, resources, and support from around the globe - courses in technical skills, online mentoring from professionals in other countries, and countless examples to inspire innovation.

Changing what is possible, what opportunities are available to young Gambians: There are a plethora of courses now available to Gambians through which they can acquire the relevant technical skills to create extraordinary innovations. The University of Applied Science Engineering and Technology features an innovation lab, one of the many great institutions in the Gambia, granting young minds the opportunity to create disruptive solutions and out-of-the-box conceptions. Technical training is a means of creating higher IQs, mental training, and sharper attention to detail. The bridge between potential and performance is training, and although there is a lot already available, there are significant gaps that need to be filled.

Creating spaces and places for young, innovative minds to thrive and imagine: The Gambia needs more research labs that delve into cutting-edge technology like robotics, AI, and other advanced technology areas if we are to majorly contribute to the rapid technological advancement happening all over the world, and expose Gambians to the possibilities of technology for the country. We can start imagining smart cities and artificially intelligent traffic systems that are integrated with self-driving cars through IoT, holographic technology, and customized learning through AI.

Recognizing the potential and power that already exists for us to make these realities now: New realities emerge on the technological horizon at a rate that sometimes seems too fast-paced for developing nations like The Gambia to keep up with. Nonetheless, history has proven and continues to prove that this is not the case. Africans continue to amaze more developed nations with the novel ideas they invent. From the biological AI revolution by Nana Kofi Quaky in Ghana to the IoT waste management systems in Kenya, it is clear that Africa has a lot in store for the global technological community. This future, although sophisticated,  is one that preserves rather than harms or destroys the planet. The introduction of electric vehicle (EV) technology is ironclad proof that there is a big appetite for more green alternatives to technology. With EV, Fairphones, and other green technology our future is looking both safe and nourishing, so we can preserve the beauty of the Smiling Coast and help it to thrive for generations.

What does Gambia want their future to look like? How can technology aid the creation of that future?

What new realities can we imagine for our planet? What part do Gambians have to play in that?

Tell us your thoughts on these questions in the comments below.

Authors

Zaira Rasool is the Founder of Coderoots, on a mission to provide digital access and technology education to those who need it most. The majority of Coderoots’ work is focused on providing access to resources that will allow people to create their own pathways within technology and succeed in their careers, as well as provide opportunities for their country. She is a Software Engineer with a decade’s experience in community development. Find out more on Instagram and via this video.

Alex David Pratt is the author of AI Demystified and the pioneer of Fortizo Technologies, a consumer electronics creator and managed IT services company on a mission to reinvent how Gambians consume technology through the invention of technology solutions geared towards the local market. He is a self-taught technologist, delving into software engineering, ethical hacking, deep tech, and AI. He describes himself as a tech futurist on a mission to catapult mankind to technological advancement through research, development, and innovation. You can learn more about his work on the Fortizo Technologies blog and his personal LinkedIn.