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Africa: off the tech map?

appfrica.net

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Re: Africa: off the tech map?

#11

Post by rythie »

joubert wrote: post #9

I think there is a boatload of opportunity in Africa.

Though I expect the solutions aren't the same as in the west. I think at least one of the reasons that Google is in several countries is to cover support in many timezones (from talking to them) but the timezones in that area are already well covered by Europe.

One of the problems in Africa as a market is that there is less than 1% broadband penetration and reliable electricity still only reaches 5%: http://appfrica.net/blog/2008/08/16/the-current-state-of-int...

Apple's products are surely too expensive for the vast majority in Africa, the products can be sold there but it doesn't mean they need offices there.

Google, Yahoo and Facebook need more computers there or to expand more into to mobile there.

Re: Africa: off the tech map?

#12

Post by djb_hackernews »

junklight wrote: post #2

So yes - the western consumer machine has not penetrated so well. But that does not mean they are not on the map at all - if you saw any of the recent "Africa" season on BBC 4 in the uk it was clear that mobile phone usage is high, there are big cities (like Lagos) with loads going on, film industry, music industry. It all seems a bit chaotic to my western eyes but its clearly vibrant and resourceful and there is a h…

> if you saw any of the recent "Africa" season on BBC 4 in the uk

could you pass a long a link for that program? I tried to do a search but nothing relevant came up.

Re: Africa: off the tech map?

#13

Post by djb_hackernews »

rythie wrote: post #11
joubert wrote: post #9

I think there is a boatload of opportunity in Africa.

Though I expect the solutions aren't the same as in the west. I think at least one of the reasons that Google is in several countries is to cover support in many timezones (from talking to them) but the timezones in that area are already well covered by Europe. One of the problems in Africa as a market is that there is less than 1% broadband penetration and reliable electricity still only reaches 5%: http://appfrica.…

I think you are proving parents point. Room for a tremendous amount of growth.

Re: Africa: off the tech map?

#14

Post by rythie »

djb_hackernews wrote: post #13
rythie wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Though I expect the solutions aren't the same as in the west. I think at least one of the reasons that Google is in several countries is to cover support in many timezones (from talking to them) but the timezones in that area are already well covered by Europe. One of the problems in Africa as a market is that there is less than 1% broadband penetration and reliable electricity still only reaches 5%: http://appfrica.…

I think you are proving parents point. Room for a tremendous amount of growth.

I agree but it's going to take a lot longer and require different solutions to the ones they have already developed.

Re: Africa: off the tech map?

#15

Post by tlack »

richardw wrote: post #3

Some cities are pretty much first world, but 100km out of town you're in the 3rd world. Cellphone coverage over my whole country, I'm typing this on a notebook attached to a 23" LED screen and a docked iPhone. I'm writing C# for the day job while telecommuting from home. My guide up Kilimanjaro friended me on Facebook the other day. But I'll be donating blankets to some very cold people this winter - people who have…

Tell us more! What country are you in? Were you raised there, or did you move there by choice for some reason?

Re: Africa: off the tech map?

#16

Post by richardw »

tlack wrote: post #15
richardw wrote: post #3

Some cities are pretty much first world, but 100km out of town you're in the 3rd world. Cellphone coverage over my whole country, I'm typing this on a notebook attached to a 23" LED screen and a docked iPhone. I'm writing C# for the day job while telecommuting from home. My guide up Kilimanjaro friended me on Facebook the other day. But I'll be donating blankets to some very cold people this winter - people who have…

Tell us more! What country are you in? Were you raised there, or did you move there by choice for some reason?

Pretty boring by African standards - born in Johannesburg, South Africa. Lived in various parts of the country, visited Zimbabwe, Tanzania (climbing Kilimanjaro), Mozambique (scuba diving), Lesotho (cycling trip). Taste of the kili trip: http://picasaweb.google.com/richard.watson/Kilimanjaro

South Africa has really transformed, but still a long way to go. I think the really interesting places are those that are emerging now. I've heard Ghana is fantastic - great people, very friendly.

Re: Africa: off the tech map?

#17

Post by tlack »

richardw wrote: post #16
tlack wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Tell us more! What country are you in? Were you raised there, or did you move there by choice for some reason?

Pretty boring by African standards - born in Johannesburg, South Africa. Lived in various parts of the country, visited Zimbabwe, Tanzania (climbing Kilimanjaro), Mozambique (scuba diving), Lesotho (cycling trip). Taste of the kili trip: http://picasaweb.google.com/richard.watson/Kilimanjaro South Africa has really transformed, but still a long way to go. I think the really interesting places are those that are emerg…

How's the tech scene in South Africa? I would imagine it has its share of startups and investors, etc.

Re: Africa: off the tech map?

#18

Post by djb_hackernews »

richardw wrote: post #16
tlack wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Tell us more! What country are you in? Were you raised there, or did you move there by choice for some reason?

Pretty boring by African standards - born in Johannesburg, South Africa. Lived in various parts of the country, visited Zimbabwe, Tanzania (climbing Kilimanjaro), Mozambique (scuba diving), Lesotho (cycling trip). Taste of the kili trip: http://picasaweb.google.com/richard.watson/Kilimanjaro South Africa has really transformed, but still a long way to go. I think the really interesting places are those that are emerg…

I spent a few weeks last summer in Western Africa, mostly Burkina Faso, but did spend a week in Ghana. I understand it is the most stable in west Africa and growing the fastest but I, as a westerner coming from one of the top 10 or so poorest countries in the world(Burkina), didn't see as dramatic a difference in Ghana than I had expected. I unfortunately never made it to Accra.

Re: Africa: off the tech map?

#20

Post by kilps »

tlack wrote: post #17
richardw wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Pretty boring by African standards - born in Johannesburg, South Africa. Lived in various parts of the country, visited Zimbabwe, Tanzania (climbing Kilimanjaro), Mozambique (scuba diving), Lesotho (cycling trip). Taste of the kili trip: http://picasaweb.google.com/richard.watson/Kilimanjaro South Africa has really transformed, but still a long way to go. I think the really interesting places are those that are emerg…

How's the tech scene in South Africa? I would imagine it has its share of startups and investors, etc.

There is some info at http://www.siliconcape.com/ (Cape Town focused).
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