From MARIA MACHARIA in Nairobi, Kenya
NAIROBI, (CAJ News) – EAST African countries have been lauded for embracing digital transformation and remaining relevant in the digital economy.
Ashley Boag, Acting Managing Director of SAP East Africa, the market leader in enterprise application software, says the countries in the region, such as Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda have a solid grasp on the principles of this transformation.
The executive notes there is definite recognition that technology and African innovation need to be a big factor and focus, hence governments and companies know they have to invest in innovation if they want to continue their growth paths and even leapfrog others.
“More and more companies around East Africa are asking what we see as the key threads in technologies such as big data and the Internet of Things. They are already wrapping their heads around it and they understand that to stay competitive, they have to make significant investments in the future,” says Boag.
Boag cites some examples including Kenya’s innovation hubs including iHub and Rwanda’s aggressive broadband expansion.
He highlights there has been growing momentum across the spectrum of sectors such as utilities, healthcare, financial services and agriculture are all experiencing technology investment led by leaders who understand they are aiming for more than just efficiency and savings.
“They are building the region’s future,” says Boag.
“There is a renewed sense of cooperation and positivity in East Africa – quite a positive view and outlook going forward. It’s moderated, but it is a general positive sentiment,” says Boag, who was at the World Economic Forum on Africa, held in Rwanda recently.
He notes there was a lot of agreement that East Africa is in a relatively good space now, bolstered by more cooperation between the various countries.
“This feeds back into the forward-thinking investments in technology, a culture of advancement that SAP plays an active role in.”
He says SAP has made “great strides” in supporting governments, companies and individuals toward the benefits of digital transformation.
“For SAP in East Africa, it’s business as usual: to help drive the region’s digital agenda.”
– CAJ News
