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Coding must be compulsory, at all levels: Adesina tells Mo Ibrahim Governance Week

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Information technology must not be the exclusive privilege of the elite

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, April 8, 2019 — African Development Bank  President Adesina, on Friday, pleaded for Africans to embrace technology, and governments to urgently move away from “investing in the jobs of the past, but rather in the jobs of the future. A future that is just around the corner.”

Adesina was addressing a debateentitled: The New Tech Era: Job-killer or Job-creator?organised by Africa Report and Jeune Afrique as part of the 2019 Mo Ibrahim Governance Week. The debate took place in the Sofitel Hotel in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.

“The people who control data, will control Africa. Coding must be compulsory, at all levels. The currency of the future is going to be coding,” Adesina said. “Information technology must not be the exclusive privilege of the elite, we must democratize technology,” he added.

Panelists included Pascal Lamy, board Director of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation and past Director-General of the World Trade Organization; Eric Kacou, an Ivorian businessman and co-founder of ESP Solutions; Chioma Agwuegbo, a Nigerian tech specialist and Zyad Liman, publishing director of Afrique Magazine.

In his welcome remarks, Mo Ibrahim urged the panelists to think about ways to address the “tsunami of young people entering the job market.”

In response to that call to action, Kacou insisted on the need for “a change in mindset to move from BBC or Born Before Computers to rethinking education to teach people how to learn and help them solve problems.”

Panellists acknowledged the critical role the tech industry can play in Africa’s economic transformation through the continent’s digitization. However, they agreed on the urgent need to upgrade the skills of the past, to do it fast, and move away from the social fear of technology.

Research has shown that if governments harness the full economic potential of just the internet, Africa could add $300 billion to its GDP by 2025. Also, 70% of all jobs will have an ICT component by 2020.

Opportunities to transform Africa through technology are endless.  In agriculture, drones can monitor crops, Artificial Intelligence can speed varietal selection, and the Internet of the Things can control smart irrigation systems. Block chains can also aid food traceability.

“We must grab the opportunities…We must democratize technology. Africa should prepare itself. Digital technologies, including Artificial intelligence, big data analytics, blockchains, 3D printing, are already upon us,” Adesina concluded.

The three-hour interactive session ended with members of the audience calling for accelerated policy reforms and creating an enabling environment for innovative technology to thrive. The issue of data protection, identity protection and fake news and how to turn population into assets, topped discussions.

The African Development Bank has already made big strides in building skills in technology and innovation with its Job for Youth programme. In all, 234,000 new coders and 130 Coding Centres of Excellence are being created for Africa to participate in the supply side of the digital economy. The programme is not restricted to coding. The Bank is working with partners in the private sector, such as Facebook, Google and Microsoft, to build technical literacy and arm people at all educational levels with the skills they will need going forward.

To ensure there is a general reskilling of Africans, the Bank has invested EURO 70 million in a technology park in Senegal, to create a regional cluster of tech businesses in francophone Africa.  The tech park is expected to contribute to the diversification of Senegal’s economy, creating 35,000 direct and 105,000 indirect jobs.

Additionally, the Bank has invested in several funds such as the TLcom TIDE Fund, Partech and African Technology Ventures to overcome the challenge of access to finance for tech entrepreneurs.

The Bank has also provided a US$30 million loan to the Rwandan Government to contribute to the innovation economy through the Rwanda Innovation Fund, focused on funding Tech-Enabled SME’s and to develop Rwanda’s entrepreneurial/innovation ecosystem capacity.

The Mo Ibrahim Governance Weekend kicked off in Abidjan on Friday. Adesina is joining Africa’s most influential leaders and thinkers for this event, which celebrates the continent’s leadership, debates issues of critical importance to Africa, and charts the way forward for the region.

 

African Development Bank Group (AfDB)

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Lisk and CV Labs Africa Unveil VC Curated Blockchain Incubation Hub

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Lisk Chief Project Officer, Dominic Schwenter (Image: Supplied).

With nearly a million developers, a flourishing cross-industry entrepreneurial mindset, and a remarkable surge in blockchain adoption, Africa’s ability to lead blockchain technology impact is undeniable. Yet, technology entrepreneurs face barriers like limited access to finance and expert mentorship. Lisk’s Blockchain Incubation Hub intends to solve that issue.

Lisk is a fast and scalable Layer 2 (L2) network secured by Ethereum. As a member of the Optimism Superchain, Lisk provides builders and users some of the cheapest fees possible in the Ethereum ecosystem (currently sub 1 cent) and is actively contributing to the larger Superchain mission of onboarding the next 1 billion people to Web3. Lisk’s strategic decision to focus on emerging markets stands as a testament to its commitment to innovation and inclusivity. By prioritizing these regions, the team acknowledges the transformative potential they hold for the global community. 

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Dominic Schwenter, Chief Project Officer at Lisk, speaking of the incubation program, said “As an established infrastructure project, that has long focused on making Web3 technologies more accessible to builders and users around the world, we fully understand the tremendous opportunity the African continent represents for the future of the blockchain industry. By working with established partners such as CV Labs and its VC pillar, CV VC, we intend to bring our mutual excellence to support African pioneers who harness ingenuity to empower their communities. Blockchain is the engine for propelling local economies across the continent and we are well aware of the great quality of the developer community in Africa. There’s no one better to solve challenges than local developers, founders, and entrepreneurs“.

CV Labs is a renowned blockchain accelerator and ecosystem builder within the Web3 space. CV Labs is a business pillar of CV VC, the Swiss headquartered blockchain venture capitalist. Lisk and CV Labs both originate from the world’s most mature blockchain hub – Crypto Valley. Each has local and active teams on the ground in Africa, committed to harnessing Africa’s ability to drive the future of the web – one that enables data transparency, new economies, and, most of all, a better way of interacting and transacting for Africans.

Gideon Greaves, MD of CV VC Africa, said “Our experience in creating interconnectedness among our African and global portfolio companies is a bedrock for their growth. As Africans ourselves, we are very excited to empower the Lisk Blockchain Incubation Hub with our ecosystem pillar CV Labs, leveraging local insights and global understanding for maximum impact. Importantly, CV VC’s investor-focused curation will support the appropriation of grant funds to ensure projects with impact and utility succeed”.

African nations are among the strongest adopters of cryptocurrencies, utilizing them both as a store of value, payment, and exchange purposes. Concurrently, the technology behind crypto, blockchain itself, is increasingly important in other ways for Africa due to its immutability which can address longstanding issues such as corruption, lack of transparency, and inefficiencies in sectors like finance, supply chain, and governance.

Builders on blockchain technology can enhance trust, promote financial inclusion, enable secure transactions, and streamline processes, particularly in regions with unreliable infrastructure and weak institutions. Additionally, blockchain can support individuals by enabling access to financial services and property rights, fostering their socioeconomic growth, and unlocking new opportunities.

Despite restricted global funding, technology ecosystems in Africa are emerging, and 15 African countries feature in the Top 100 Global Ecosystems. As Africa accounts for nearly 20% of the global population and a median age of 18.8 years, the continent’s youthful demographic presents a potent force for innovation. While 77% of VC funding in Africa comes from outside the continent, The Lisk Blockchain Incubation Hub is committed to enabling African entrepreneurs to achieve self-fulfilling revenues and new funding sources by becoming market-ready with viable products that meet African needs.

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EMURGO Africa Unveils EMURGO Labs

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EMURGO Africa, the investment and commercial arm of Cardano in Africa, today announced the launch of EMURGO Labs, a dedicated development entity for emerging Web3 technologies. The Labs is designed to support the growth of established and nascent Web2 and Web3 organizations. EMURGO Labs is set to spearhead the digital transformation across borders, leveraging the transformative power of the Cardano blockchain.

This will will serve as the central hub for fostering the growth of both established and burgeoning Web2 and Web3 organizations throughout the region. By leveraging the unparalleled power and potential of the Cardano blockchain, EMURGO Labs aims to empower innovation, facilitate cross-border expansion, and contribute to the overall expansion of the global blockchain ecosystem.

“The launch of EMURGO Labs marks a significant step forward in our mission to unlock the transformative potential of blockchain technology in Africa, Middle East and GCC,” said Ahmed M. Amer, CEO of EMURGO Labs. “Through comprehensive support services, strategic partnerships, and industry-leading expertise, I am confident that EMURGO Labs will become the premier destination for Web3 ventures seeking to thrive in this dynamic region” added Amer.

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EMURGO Labs is dedicated to delivering a broad spectrum of services, meticulously designed to meet the evolving needs of the digital era, enabling organizations to seamlessly migrate from Web2 to Web3 while also enhancing and expanding the capabilities of already established Web3 entities.

  • Blockchain Solutions Development: Partnering with global enterprises, startups, and accelerators, EMURGO Labs is at the forefront of investing in and developing groundbreaking blockchain solutions with real world use cases
  • Custom Software Development: Tailored software solutions are crafted to drive digital transformation, propelling enterprises into the future.
  • UI/UX Design: With a focus on user-centric design, The Labs ensures intuitive user experiences and sleek interfaces for Cardano blockchain applications, setting a new standard in usability and aesthetics.

Aiming to engage a broad spectrum of stakeholders, from Web2 and Web3 startups, banks, and large corporations to governments and the wider business community, The Labs is strategically positioned. By appealing to investors, blockchain enthusiasts, media, and policymakers, it is poised to become a pivotal player in the global blockchain ecosystem.

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LG Electronics unveils latest state-of-the-art home appliances

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LG Electronics continues to set new standards in consumer electronics with the unveiling of its latest lineup featuring sleek, minimalist designs tailored to enhance the modern lifestyle.

In a world where technology seamlessly integrates into daily routines, LG Electronics understands the importance of design that not only complements living spaces but also elevates them. With a commitment to innovation and aesthetics, LG’s new range of products embodies the perfect balance of form and function. From cutting-edge Televisions to state-of-the-art home appliances, LG’s minimalist design ethos shines through in every product. With clean lines, premium materials, and intuitive interfaces, consumers can enjoy both sophistication and simplicity in their everyday interactions.

“We believe that great design should enhance the user experience, not distract from it,” said Mr. Hari Elluru, Head, Corporate Marketing, LG Electronics, West African Operations. “Our latest lineup embodies our dedication to creating products that seamlessly integrate into modern lifestyles, providing both style and substance.”

At LG, we have the latest designs, very durable and innovative products for every household, and it’s for this reason that, to prevent the incidence of the paradox of choice, we curated some budget-friendly home appliances we believe will make living comfortable for you.

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Smart TV

Why go to the cinema when you can create a cinematic experience in your home? When friends and family visit you, you can entertain them either by watching content together on an LG TV or by connecting your game with the LG TV so you can have an immersive experience. As far as picture and sound quality goes, LG TVs deliver only the best. So, immerse yourself and treat your guests to unforgettable TV experiences by investing in any of LG’s range of smart TVs. And what is more? Its ThinQ app feature is there to help maximize your TV experience in such a way you can’t imagine. You get to choose your favorite voice assistant and control your TV with your voice with an all new home screen to provide more convenience and control.

 Portable Bluetooth Speaker & Soundbar

Whether you are the indoor type or outdoor type, there is that speaker that helps whatever vibe you are in. And regardless of what your taste is, you can get a premium audio experience no matter the size of the speaker. Take, for instance, our portable speakers that allow you to carry your fun with you with or without the absence of power or our soundbars that serve as the perfect companion to your LG TVs. The good thing about these speakers is that even with their sleek design, there’s no compromise on sound quality.

Enjoy sound the way it’s meant to be enjoyed where all your movies and music are brought to life with sound that’s clearer and more immersive; thereby, giving you a more realistic audio experience. And not only that, with this sound bar, there is dimensionality to your sound as well as a greater sense of space and depth which all culminates in you discovering hidden audio details with unparalleled clarity, hearing every emotion just as the creator of the sound intended for you to hear.

Refrigerator

Want a fridge that keeps your food items and drinks cool and fresh for a long period without drilling a hole in your pocket? Well, you don’t have to think too far. This fridge is the perfect addition to your household gadgets. One amazing feature of this LG Instaview fridge is that when you knock twice on the door, you can see the contents of the fridge without opening the door. This helps to save time while saving the air inside the fridge. Cool, isn’t it?

Microwave Oven

Who says you have to retire to the kitchen after a stressful day at work? And who says you need a massive cooking gadget just to create little wonders that delight your tummy? LG NeoChef microwave is the go-to appliance for quick and easy meals. Whether it is to heat the food, bake, fry, or even ferment your homemade yogurt, LG NeoChef has the bells and whistles you need for gastronomy.

Air Conditioner

There is air and there is cool refreshing air that’s void of impurities. The latter is the kind of air that comes from the LG ArtCool air conditioner. LG’s ArtCool AC not only fills your space with the right kind of air for your lungs and skin, its design allows it to harmonise perfectly with your wall, adding to the beauty and style of your interior in a way most air-conditioners were not designed to. In addition to that, it is more energy saving and thanks to its inverter compressor, it expels air farther and faster. And not only that, you can access your air-conditioner at any time and from anywhere with a Wi-Fi equipped device and LG’s exclusive home appliances control app – ThinQ.

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