From smartphones to computers, the endless stream of new gadgets in the global market has ushered an age of unparalleled access to communication. As a result, schools in the US have replaced cursive writing with keyboarding. Children’s games are now taking the form of kid-friendly electronics. Google is currently testing a free Wi-Fi network capable of being accessed in nearly any location on Earth.



Despite the progressive nature of information technology in the rest of the world, Africa is being left behind. According to the International Telecommunication Union, approximately seven percent of African households owned a computer in 2011. In contrast, over 74 percent of households in Europe owned a computer in the same year.

The need to provide the equipment and knowledge in how to use technology is imperative in pushing the African continent forward.

Globally, businesses are seeing an increasing amount of their revenue generated from online transactions. Because of the increasing accessibility of the Internet, the emerging trend has made cyberspace the new battleground for attracting potential customers.

To compete in the market, African businesses must possess the ability to access technology. Electronic devices allow emerging businesses to overcome the constraints of geography and compete for international customers. Technological dissemination is correlated with wealth; therefore access to technology within the African business sector provides them with access to customers with more expendable income. Over time, the revenue generated from online transactions will pay off the initial investment and provide the funds to maintain the equipment.

The self-sufficiency of an online business is key to empowering African individuals with the resources to reinvest in their communities and develop the continent from within. Through technology, African individuals have access to the globe at their fingertips, allowing the region to access innovation and join the digital conversation.