Technological revolution is the current frontier for global development and crisis. However, in Africa, it is a leap from the industrial revolution making it seem like a shortcut to development for African countries.
Aside from the abundant human and natural resources, these countries have carved another niche for themselves. They now have inventors blazing the trail in science and technology.
In Early 2020 COVID-19 erupted on the continent and this sent shock waves to the global community on how Africa a continent with the World’s poorest population would handle the pandemic. However, Africa came up on the top with some of the best performances in terms of less deaths and less hospitalization cases.
This is not only attributed to God’s grace on the continent with some of the worst health systems but also the resilience of the health staff and the involvement of technology in testing, surveillance, and communication.
The health industry is just one of the sectors where Africa has had to innovate and apply technology. From delivery of blood with drones to smartphones, robots, and cars developed in Africa.
Let’s take a look at the ten most advanced African countries in the technological revolution era.
1. South Africa
On the top of our list is South Africa. With the best universities in Africa as well as many mind-blowing infrastructures at its beck and call, the country ranks as the most technologically developed country on the continent in the current Global Innovation Index (GII). The country walks tall with many amazing inventions, like Linux Ubuntu, Multichoice (DSTV), PayPal just to mention a few.
2. Kenya
Kenya is not only a top player in Africa but also the globe at large. Kenya is known as the home of mobile money in the world. With Mobile payments having the best impact in Kenya, the country has leveraged on this position to provide further financial products such as insurance, pension, loans and savings through the mobile phone.
In 2021 the internet broke to news when Kenyan inventors created a bio-robotic arm controlled by brain signals. It wouldn’t look out of place in a science-fiction film, but this robotic arm could be set to change the real lives of disabled people in Kenya.
It was invented by David Gathu and Moses Kinyua and is powered by brain signals. The signals are converted into an electric current by a “NeuroNode” biopotential headset receiver.
This electrical current is then driven into the robot’s circuitry, which gives the arm its mobility. The arm has several component materials including recycled wood and moves vertically and horizontally. Kenya is a truism of the saying, “ideas rule the world.” It boasts of many technological innovation ideas.
For instance, Antony Mutua developed a charging shoe and a 44-year-old man from Nairobi invented an alarm-fitted television. SMS car immobilizer, solar-powered refrigerator, and underwater pet housing are some of the mind-blowing innovations coming out of the “Silicon Savannah.”
3. Nigeria
Africa’s most populous country is third on the log. Similar to America’s Silicon Valley is Nigeria’s Tech Hub, Yaba, a city in Lagos that recently played host to Facebook Founder, Mark Zuckerberg.
The country hosts the likes of Iroko Partners, a successful internet company with more than 6 million unique users from 178 nations. INYE-1 and INYE-2 tablet computers are made in Nigeria. Moringa plant technology enables Nigerians to use the Moringa plant for water treatment.
4. Uganda
According to a study conducted by Martin Prosperity Institute of the US, Uganda is the forth best nation in Africa with advanced technological and innovation capabilities. The study ranked Uganda 82nd in the chart of nations with advanced technological innovation.
In Uganda, the government has invested heavily in its ICT sector. It has also attracted foreign investors in the sector. Earlier this year, Uganda launched Africa’s first-ever solar-powered bus, ‘Kayoola.’
5. Egypt
Remember the many historic tales about Egypt? Welcome to the ancient country. According to experts, Egypt is the cradle of civilization. The country has for long been associated with inventions and innovations. In fact, Ancient Egypt recorded development in technology, astronomy, and science that allowed astronauts to explore space travel.
6. Ghana
Ghana’s effort to be technologically advanced is not just limited to cities in Ghana. It has been taken to the slums too. Recently, women and young girls were trained on how to code by the Achievers club, a non-profit organization in Nima.
Many technology entrepreneurs have emerged from Ghana. Notable among them is Mr. Freddie Green who invented an affordable video conferencing system. It uses compressed gas to generate electricity.
7. Rwanda
It is a country still bearing the brunt of the ravaging effects of civil war and genocide that once held the land sway, but its the determination to forge ahead remains the country’s greatest treasure. Welcome to Rwanda.
The nation has launched the proposed 4G LTE broadband network which provides new opportunities to deliver top-class internet service nationwide. Rwanda has also embraced usage of drones to deliver medical supplies out of urgency to distant health centers.
8. Madagascar
Tucked in the eighth position on the countdown, Madagascar is a country on the right track when it comes to technology and innovation capabilities. Recently, a study conducted by Martin Prosperity Institute of the US ranked Madagascar the third nation in Africa with advanced technology.
9. Zimbabwe
In Zimbabwe, technology-based investment in from Asian countries is growing, enticed by cheap labor and a huge regional market. One of the most technologically advanced projects Zimbabwe has attracted is a $12 million Malaysian electronic manufacturing.
10. Botswana
Last on the list is Botswana. Botswana’s Innovation Hub is designed to keep tech start-ups, global corporations, research and health organizations under the roof of technology and innovation. This Innovation Hub has the backup of the government achieving their aims and objectives. Will they move up the ranks soon? Probably yes!
