SILICON SAVANNAH IN EAST AFRICA: KONZA TECHNOPOLIS

In recent years, it has been a fairly open secret that Africa is moving rapidly to the centre stage of technological innovation. In some cases, this push has been government led, but in most cases, intrepid pioneer techies have led the way. The appetite is great and examples of grand ideas and projects sweep through the continent from deep south in South Africa, through Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania in East-Central Africa, and onward to Nigeria and Egypt. 

 The government of Kenya has for most of the last decade publicised hi-tech projects, decidedly claiming the initiative in directing the future explosion of technology innovation. It is something of a wonder that one of the most muted in the media , and yet, in my view, most impactful, transformational, even revolutionary mega project, is The Konza Technopolis. From a bare savannah grassland just 60 kilometres outside the Nairobi Metropolis, work has been going on to bring the dream into being; slowly, but, unrelentingly, surely! The groundwork is being laid for a smart city, modelled on some of the best in the world. 

 I was happy to stumble on a media report of the quiet on goings recently.

 I need not write further about it. I would much rather that you see and hear for yourself both what the government is doing, and what it says it is doing. Please click on these links, which include independent media clips. 

1. Konza Technopolis Authority Homepage: https://www.konza.go.ke/ 

2. Konza Technopolis on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXS987Yfyss 

3. Konza Technopolis in the media (uploaded on Youtube):

    i) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6LbjS0k9NQ 

    ii) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDuCwFCI5AY

    ii)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omPqogyrOGU 

 Ally

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY JOBS IN KENYA AND THE REST OF EAST AFRICA

The the arrival of the fibre optic cable at the port of Mombasa, and its formal launch in July 2009, East africa is abuzz with activity. Jobs are being created by their hundreds.

There is increased and palpable excitement in the air. Service providers have launched new products, especially in the formerly sleepy category of internet and data services.

For the savvy entrepreneur, please do not look for a job. Create your own business and become a partner rather than an employee to these firms. Many have started in the simplest way as air time sales people and gradually grown into distributors. One truism that seems lost on many a jobseeker is that you need next to zero investment to start such businesses.

In this era of Kazi kwa Vijana, it is apt that we encourage the spirit of entrepreneurship among East African youth. What's more, the jobs need not be confined to any particular East African nation. Youth in Rwanda are doing business in Kenya and Uganda, and its my firm belief that all the other East african nations; add Kenya and Burundi, should have entrepreneurship opportunities open to the entire 120 million population of the EAC Community.

If you visited this blog in search of a job, well, there you are, you hold the key to one. Take the first step, and endless opportunities will be open to you.

Technology Made in China and India

The clock, playing card, collapsible umbrella, match, paper and the toothbrush hve one thing in common: we owe them to Chinese ineventive capability and genius.
As for India, the list is long as well. Indians made monumental inventions agriculture, textiles, architecture, games, maritime technology, mathematics and commerce centuries ahead of everybody else. Specifically, Indians invented the chess, the indispensable zero, dyeing technology and plastic surgery, among many many others. The water wheel and rapidfire cannon, the stirrups and bangle technology are all Indian.

Technology firmly belongs to, and comes from Asia!

How long will we deny the obvious, or seek to couch facts in misdirected accolades to Europe and its diaspora?

CDMA technologies in telecommunication have been brought to the masses by China. The Nano car from Tata, India, was touted as the world's cheapest, most likely many motorists more motorists worldwide. The future for Asia can only be brilliant.

Gone, for ever more, are the days of European and American hegemony (with phones and ipods, televisions and watchesin the leading technology world wide.It is time for the world to cooperate closer for raising the standards of living for all. Everyone should deliver their forte and look out for the next opportunity to do even better.

Ally

Smaller to Smallest laptops and other electronics

It would seen to me that were it not for the limitations of human anatomy, we would be having microscopic laptops, cellphones (mobile phones), ipods, everything. The world seems to be going miniature.

The only thing that seems to go the other way must be the TV. Even this though, I've noticed, is becoming increasingly paper-thin. Just a couple of years ago, the more space your TV occupied in the living room, the more prestigious it looked. Today, the television screen hardly rises above my wallpaper! That too is miniaturization.

But how can this be the trend when, on balance, human beings are getting bigger every decade? This means out seats, cars, beds, shoes, clothing, and the like can only keep growing bigger and bigger

What is the reason behind the miniaturization of our gizmos? Is there some fascination with the dimunitive, or is it because space and energy costs waxing bigger?

I would vouch for this since instead of castles, villas and bungalow, we are making do with highrise flats, apartments and studios.

Property rates from the United States of America, to Latin America, India, China and even the Middle East have escalated along with foreclosures.

I dare not mention Europe at all.

As for Africa, well, we would be talking property mostly in the cities. But the stoty remains largely true.

We can look forward then to a growing demand for Nano cars, micro bikes, but hopefully, no micro-babies.

Ally