The role of technology in this recovery is one that is not always trumpeted, although further development of Zimbabwe’s tech industry can conceivably impact all areas of the economy for the better.
Labelled a “beta” city because of the dominance of high-tech industry in its economy, Bangalore, India’s third largest city is the nation’s leading IT exporter (beta refers to a software development phase when a feature is complete). The city hosts major local and international software companies, aerospace, and telecommunications organizations. Bangalore represents the level of importance technology has in India’s rapidly developing economy.
Technology’s role
In the United States, Silicon Valley is home to many of the world’s largest technology corporations. Familiar names such as Google, Apple Inc., Facebook, and Yahoo have set up their base on the northern Californian peninsula. The Valley is the world’s leading hub for high-tech innovation and development, accounting for a third of all venture capital investment in the United States according to PriceWaterhouseCoopers. Silicon Valley’s importance in the American context is evidence of the critical role technology has in the world’s developed economies.
While it may seem impractical to aspire to the heights of major tech centres such as Silicon Valley and Bangalore, technology has a practical and important role to play in the Zimbabwean reality. According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Information Technology Report (2009–2010) there are 11 internet users per 100 Zimbabweans. This number is likely to be much higher considering recent improvements in internet accessibility and the number of Zimbabweans accessing the web via mobile phone.
Opportunities abound, as local consumers and businesses embrace new technologies that improve communications, and access to relevant information in various fields of interest. Investment in local tech solutions could prove to be a catalyst to broader economic development in Zimbabwe. Perhaps the next tech innovation in the country will involve weather updates to farmers via their mobile phones, a Zimbabwean social network or a neighbourhood news bulletins available upon request.
Ideas are one thing, but working capital can be a major constraint for an entrepreneur or developer lacking the right support. Major technology companies invest huge amounts in research and development (R&D) in order to ensure the future viability of their products, and development of new, improved ones. Support from investors provides an entrepreneur the ability to scale, and improve products, which can ultimately lead to rewards for investors and the companies they put money in.
Start-up competition
A recent technology start-up competition supported by Zimbabwe Online (ZOL) seeks to motivate and reward participants who develop innovative, creative and original applications. Prizes will be awarded to those participants who submit the best ideas. The competition is in its final stages as five start-ups have been selected as finalists. These will be required to create working prototypes and polish their applications as much as they can for a period of three weeks, after which they will demo at the Finals.
The ultimate winner at the Finals will walk away with US$5,000 in cash and US$5,000 in internet services from ZOL. Two runner-ups at the event will walk away with US$2,500 in cash and US$2,500 in internet services each. (Visit zol.co.zw for more details.)
Start-up challenges provide incentives for the development of innovative local technology solutions. Support from the investment community will further embolden Zimbabwean entrepreneurs to innovate, to the benefit of the country’s economy one hopes. According to Seth Godin, innovation “can never be successfully and reliably industrialized.” Zimbabwe and her tech innovators are, however, likely to benefit from an environment that promotes and supports the creation of technological solutions for everyday problems and new opportunities.
For the latest information technology news visit: www.techzim.co.zw
Post published in: News