Intelligent CIO Africa Issue 14 | Page 49

COUNTRY FOCUS: KENYA Cloud computing has the potential to make life more efficient for everyone Technology’s transformative potential for firms still benefits the individual. When companies, even in traditional sectors and industries, become more efficient using technology, they can thrive and employ more people. The economic benefits of a flourishing private sector are enormous, most importantly in the creation of employment opportunities, directly and indirectly by spurring growth across the value chain and related industries. New technologies deliver new opportunities There must be an awareness of the massive disruption that technology is causing. The popular myth is that its deployment always leads to job-cuts as systems become automated. That is not the whole picture. www.intelligentcio.com “ THERE IS A HUGE OPPORTUNITY IN THE ADOPTION OF THE CLOUD, BACKED BY THE SCALE OF MARKETS AND A LARGELY UNTOUCHED YOUTHFUL POPULATION. With technology, companies can conduct more simulations and testing using robotics. The fact is that its introduction into a business leads to generations of additional revenue that can be invested in more impactful projects that create fresh opportunities for earning livelihoods. The change in perspective required from Africans with regard to technology is more than just attitudinal; there is the cultural aspect too. How do we perceive ourselves as Africans? Do we have conviction that we can own innovations and make a difference? Our young people have been born into technology; they are technological natives. But do they believe that they can use it to change the world? INTELLIGENTCIO 49