The technology world is moving so fast that, cooperate industry can’t afford to run without the use of technology no more. Technology is like everything in the way we work these days from planning meeting, setting schedules, file sharing, information storage and even decision making.

I remember back then to have an internet in the office it was an issue, organizations used to spend a lot of money to implement ICT infrastructures. By back then I meant less than 10 years ago, remember when Nokia 3310 used to be the most expensive phone in town you could ever own. Few years from then there are thousands of smart phones in streets and some at very affordable prices, even a young college or high school student can own a Samsung Galaxy or Apple’s smart phones.

I remember chatting with my old boss at Tanzania Ports Authority about the seminar that senior official of the port received, on efficient usage of the Blackberry smart phones to send and receive emails, organizing and planning meetings. He said “there is no way I can escape this, 20 years experience of working with the port, today I have to learn how to use a phone to run my department”. That is the power of technology, no matter what educational background you have, experience you posses or even skills you have you can’t escape the trap of technology.

It has been a challenge to a lot of people when their organizations migrate from old manual systems to technology based systems. Most of them felt to be left behind and even some of them believe technology is the tool to exploit them and taking their positions in the organization, which to some extent and some situations appear to be true but not all the time.  The questions remain what should I do when my company or organization is taking it to the next level technology wise. I remember this question was asked during the Nokia developer’s forum Bangalore 2009 and the answer from the speaker was “just get into the train and ride with them”.

Few things that should be clear to you, first, everyone will be trying to adopt the systems the best thing you can do is collaborative learning and knowledge sharing. Be yourself and be free to ask questions and get to know the system. Never pretend you know the system, even if you know it you should always be careful with the way you present it to others and working with them. That is the first rule of the organizational politics, wither you know it or you don’t know it always depend with whom you are working with, especially bosses they always love to be in control. In some situations and some bosses and co-workers who entertain the “Win-Win” situation they will be happy to see an officemate who knows the system already and they will open the door for you to teach them and learn while others won’t.

Second thing you should understand is that, there is always a solution for your technology related problem available online, that is why internet exists. I have done this so many times in job interviews, I read the job description and if I find something that I don’t understand I just Google it and get the fast track information about it and in few days I become an expert. Once you hear new technology is coming to your office or organizations make sure you search online for the possible details about the system. Most of the time lot of resources, materials and even sometimes video tutorials available online. Most of these resources can help you to adopt the new system before others or even before the company decides to hire the trainer to teach you.

Third, if you are the boss this is the time you do two things, first to work so hard to understand the system so that you can be able to help your subordinates to migrate to the new system while understanding who is in charge and second to learn about your employees capabilities and abilities to adopt and practice new ways of doing work. When the new challenge emerges is when you realize people’s potentials. Always entertain innovation and creativity at your workplace is the biggest secret to improve efficiency and productivity. The biggest mistake most of the bosses do is to be afraid of the new systems. They always feel new systems make them to be left behind and undermine their potentials. Leave no room for your subordinates to realize you are afraid to adapt to the new system this will make you look weak in front of them, something you don’t want to do.

If you are just a normal employee at your organization this is an opportunity you have been waiting for. I can’t tell you how many people I know personally that have been hired or promoted since they know something that others can’t do or use. Don’t accept defeat before entering in the ring. Try to see if what is about to be introduced is something that you can hustle to learn and put into practice. One shut is only you have to prove yourself and the opportunities they don’t come that much frequently. It could take an organization another 10 to 15 years to move to a new technology or new way of doing things.

No, I can’t, it won’t work and other answers like this are totally not accepted when you are trying to adopt the new system. The best answer you should provide when you are asked to work with the new system is that, I will try my level best, am working on it, I will adopt and so on. Organizations and companies want people to deliver, if you can’t deliver why should they keep you in their organization? Instead of just replacing you, wise man once told me in this world people they don’t care on what you have or who you are as long as you can deliver something they want in time. Now take your time and ask yourself if you are ready to get into the train and ride with them to the new era of running your organization.

Jumanne Mtambalike
jumanne@tanzict.or.tz

CAPE-TOWN, South-Africa Featuring ground-breaking technology and an affordable cost structure that quickly turns to profitability for telecoms, World Panel Inc. will launch a suite of powerful handheld solar chargers at AfricaCom in Cape Town, South Africa, Nov. 12-14. The World Panel 500 and 1000 portable phone chargers will be unveiled for the first time at the largest African telecom conference, to showcase a solution for the revenue gap caused by charging difficulties, and provide branding opportunities for wireless carriers, their partners and OTTs, with colorful units that pack a lot of consumer appeal.

A key feature of the new chargers is the patented ‘direct-from-the-sun’ technology that charges a phone as fast as a wall outlet and allows for a low price-point as well as remarkable durability.  Utility-grade materials from the solar industry are used in the construction of the rugged devices so they can endure the harshest environmental conditions in the Sub-Saharan.  A full array of accessories including powerbanks, lights and charge-on-the-go backpacks will also be on display at the Booth P7 at AfricaCom.  The chargers can power any USB device and can be linked together using our patent-pending PowerLink to double or triple the output.

“I arrived in the Sub-Saharan in 2011 with a solar prototype for boiling water and left with the clear message that people wanted a better way to keep their phones charged,” said World Panel CEO John Anderson.  “After an intense R&D and testing period, I am returning to Africa to launch a line of patented chargers that meets the requirements of those I interviewed:  it is as fast as a wall plug, it will last, and the price is right.  Income generation is possible also for both entrepreneurs and the telecoms since 10 phones can be charged in a day.”

Recent independent tests performed on the chargers show that the most popular phones in Africa charge in an hour, which provides five to six hours of talk time.  Blackberry smart phones charge in two to three hours and provide three to four hours of talk and data time.  Test reports for charging Nokia phones, Samsung, iPhone, iPads, etc. will be available at the show and upon request.  In-booth demonstrations with sun simulators, including charging while under water, are also available at P7.

Meetings with U.S. and European executives from World Panel are being scheduled now for Nov. 12-14 in Cape Town with operators who would like to discuss preferred pricing at the show. 

 By eliminating the charging costs associated with phone ownership in many areas, and allowing for fast and easy charging for up to 10 phones per day via free sun energy, operators can review programs that recoup the cost of the chargers within a few months and generate ARPU for years to come.  On-the-go charging can pave the way for more airtime purchases and smart phone use.  World Panel will offer attractive co-branding and bundling opportunities to those interested in adding mobile electricity to their line of subscriber services.  GSMA states that charging solutions represent a $3.37 billion USD opportunity for the operators, and the U.N.’s energy initiative has published that African telecoms suffer a 20% revenue loss due to unreliable phone charging.

Exclusive arrangements are in place for multi-colored solar cells to be used in the manufacturing process, allowing for various color combinations in the finished products and specific branding requests.  World Panel Inc. is prepared to take orders at the show and products will be available in early 2014.

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of World Panel Inc

You need to know the type of pitch, it is very important to understand the type of pitching that you are going to pitch. Technically there are three types of pitch. The famous one is the elevator pitch, there is a 30 minutes pitch and there is a “investor deep pitch”; this is when investor has given you the total attention and need to hear about your idea or product intensively. Most of the time is when the investor is attracted to your idea.

You need to know characteristics of each pitching technique, when it is elevator pitch 5 minutes or less is all you need to make your point clear. It should cover very few topics. Within those 5 minutes you should be able to make the investor knock is head and say yes this is the good thing. 30 minutes pitch provides a room of short but detailed explanations and rooms of questions so be prepared. Investor deep pitch this is when you get your facts together, most of the time you can carry your study of the market, product statistics in terms of usability, ROI and so on.

Three things each pitch should have, the pitch is never complete  if it misses  these three things first, problem that you are solving, why is important to solve this problem and proof that you have enough experience and resources to solve that problem.

The biggest mistake in pitching; first is practicing to pitch during the pitch session. We never practice pitching in front of real investors you have thousands of people to try your pitching simulations. Never jump into the solutions; investors are not interested with the solutions. They always want to hear stories and real time user experience and how users have embraced your product.

Questions you pitch should answer, any pitch should answer the following questions, why should I put money in your product, problem or opportunity you have seen, how this opportunity matters to the users and what is the best solution that you have come up with.

Structure of the pitch, in one statement any pitch should contain problem, solution and team. It doesn’t matter how you rotates those stuffs they can give you the perfect structure you need to attract investors into your products.

Pitch practice, never practice pitching with the investors remember there is only one first impression. Practice pitching with your trainers, co workers, team members, friend and family. Sometimes look for people who always criticize you and hear what they have to say about your product. Only a strong flame can make a fine steel.

Investors and their numbers, “over 200,000 users just one month of operation” these are the type of statements investors expect and like to hear during pitching but whatever you do, make sure you know what you are talking about. Fake statistics they won’t help you at all.

Crazy pitch, singing your product like a new released song of Psquare. You need people to know your product and to say something about it. At early stages these are among the best ways to draw people attentions towards your products although some might think you are going mad.

Jumanne Mtambalike

Tech360 Founder

The five most inspiring stories stand to win prizes of $25,000 each, and the winners will also have the opportunity to work with a Google champion to help them make their venture even more awesome.

Google launched 'Africa Connected. Success stories powered by the web.'  This is an initiative with the aim of establishing a platform to drive the largest collection of inspiring stories about ventures established by Africans using the power of the web.

An example is Asurf who learned film making using Google Search and YouTube.  Watch his story and be inspired.Some other tr AfriNolly. Several more amazing stories from across the continent on the 

website: www.africaconnected.com.

Get involved?

1.    If you have an amazing story to tell yourself, or know someone that does, we're collecting submissions until October 31, 2013.  The top 5 awe inspiring stories will win $25,000 each from Google to use to further grow their impact.

2.    You may also join the  community on Google+ to follow the discussion across Africa. Please use hashtag #AfricaConnected when posting.

We’re excited about this initiative and can’t wait to hear many more great stories.

 Dar es Salaam Google Technology User Group

CAPE-TOWN, South-Africa, 

• Express company estimates that 60% of IT hardware growth in 2013 will come from tablets and smartphones

•  “Technology companies who locate themselves in Africa will spend significantly less on logistics” – Brewer

Competition within the technology sector is becoming more intense and Asia’s importance as both a manufacturing location and a consumer market is growing. However, although Asia is still key to the sector, Africa has also witnessed an explosion in technology adoption recently and is set to develop as a region. 

This is according to Charles Brewer, Managing Director for DHL Express Sub-Saharan Africa , who says that a recent DHL global technology conference revealed these trends around the changing dynamics of the technology market.

He says that due to the increased competition within the sector, suppliers need to adapt and improve products and services in order to retain and grow market share. “This presents an opportunity for suppliers to be innovative and provide consumers with the best possible products, services and prices.

“Both of these trends also promise to amplify the role of logistics as a competitive differentiator in the technology industry, notably as global companies are looking for strong and established partners to support and simplify access to the African market.”

Brewer says that within Africa, although there has been a significant rise in demand for electronic consumer products, the continent is still in need of increased investment from international technology companies, in order to become more than just an end-user for technology products.

He says that more than any other industry, the technology sector is driven by constant innovation, short product cycles and new sales channels. “From a logistics perspective this is a great challenge, but it also provides forward-thinking brands with an opportunity.”

Brewer says that by setting up shop in Africa, these brands are able to service this growing market and spend significantly less on logistics costs as they are based in much closer proximity to their customers.

According to a recent report by Deloitte entitled The Rise and Rise of the African Middle Class, the continent has a disproportionately young population with 62% of the population in Africa under 25 years. “This is positive from an outside investment perspective, as it effectively means that there is a guaranteed customer base for years to come when compared to a territory such as Europe, which has a shrinking population.”

The Deloitte report also forecasts that if the African middle class continues on its current growth trajectory Africa’s middle class will grow to 1.1 billion (42% of the continent’s population) by 2060.

The trend of mobile devices preferred over PCs as the access tool for the internet was also highlighted at the conference. Florence Noblot, DHL’s Technology Sector Head for Europe, Middle East and Africa, estimates that 60% of all IT hardware growth will come from tablets and smartphones this year. “Both devices also elevate a trend towards high innovation cycles, which demands logistics providers to improve time to market while supporting competitive price positioning.

“This trend is also clear in Africa, and according to the GSMA, Africa is now the world’s second largest mobile market by connections after Asia and the fastest growing mobile market in the world.”

He says that an overall trend towards simplified and lighter products, combined with price pressure, is challenging manufacturers, their suppliers, and sometimes even their competitors to develop collaborative solutions that improve the cost efficiency of the technology supply chain.

“Due to the expected economic growth, technology suppliers have the ideal opportunity to penetrate the African market, but should have experienced partners who are able to provide insight and have experience operating on the continent,” concludes Noblot.

Distributed by the African Press Organization on behalf of Deutsche Post DHL.

Prize will be Awarded to Entrepreneurs and Innovators who Deliver Market-oriented Solutions for African Development
 

JOHANNESBURG, South-Africa, July 30, 2013/ -- The African Innovation Foundation (AIF) announced the call for entries for the 2014 Innovation Prize for Africa (IPA). The prestigious Prize, presented annually since 2012, aims at encouraging innovations that contribute to sustainable development in Africa. The winning submission will be awarded a prize of USD 100’000, with two additional USD 25 000, one for the runner up with an innovation with the best business potential and the other one for the runner up with the innovation with the best social impact.

In an effort to drive African-led development, the IPA invites African entrepreneurs and innovators to propose projects that unlock new African potential under one of five categories which include: 1) agriculture and agribusiness; 2) environment, energy and water; 3) health and wellbeing; 4) ICT applications; and 5) manufacturing and services industries.

“The IPA team believes that the best way to build Africa’s capacity is to invest in local innovation and entrepreneurship.  This prize encourages Africans to develop creative ways to overcome everyday challenges,” said AIF founder Jean-Claude Bastos de Morais.

The IPA 2013 was awarded to South Africa’s AgriProtein for its innovative approach to nutrient recycling – a method that uses waste and fly larvae to produce natural animal feed.  The 2013 prize also recognized two additional winners for their contributions to African innovation.  In the business potential category, Hassine Labaied and Anis Aouini from Saphon Energy (Tunisia) received USD 25 000 for creating a bladeless wind convertor.   In the social impact category, Sanoussi Diakite (Senegal) received USD 25 000 for developing and distributing a thermal powered machine that husks 5 kilograms of fonio – an important and healthy West African cereal – in just 8 minutes.  This innovation increases accessibility to a nutritious African staple food source and addresses challenges associated with its consumption.  

With more than 1350 applications received to date, the IPA aims to support Africans’ efforts to develop new products, increase efficiency and drive cost-savings on the continent. The IPA also provides a platform for African innovators to showcase their solutions to potential investors and seek partners to scale up their marketable concepts. Only innovations by Africans and for Africans are eligible to enter. Africans in the Diaspora can also apply if their innovations are of significance to Africa.

The registration deadline for the 2014 prize has been set for 31 October 2013. For detailed information of competition categories, conditions of entry, and submission procedures, please visit www.innovationprizeforafrica.org and review the detailed call for application prior to applying.

Distributed by the African Press Organization on behalf of the Innovation Prize for Africa (IPA).

Sometimes as  enteprenuers  we are encountered of  multi problems  to solve,especially during operation of the business.Managers and excecutive usually face some questions which are risky to answer, even though  they must answer them in a timeframe to  secure operations and the business process which is the matter we are talking about today.

 As  enteprenuers  we always must be full equiped with researches of production,market and financials, whether  they are logical or illogical so as to secure business processes;in other words-being able to solve the questions at the right time.

The simplest way to handle the researches of the important parts of business is by having the question'slog that hinder uncertainity,for example;What are the innovative solution to a problem an how will the solution standout of many? What are the market reqiurements?What amount of money is available to excute the a certain process?

In your reseach you can also have a number of riskies that must be overcomed in every series of processes.Mind you that, a successfull is that include you team in any point of business prcess,as we know that business is not a one man show.

Lastly we must bear this in our minds that;researches are the bidge to innovation unwillingly in a series of processes,wheather  the firm aimed or not aimed to innovation,If the reseaches are there ,are the everything to come out with smart decisions.

Remember when you were in primary school and your teacher asks you. Have you understood the problem and after you said yes. Only then she allows you to do the question. Our teacher realizes there is something more important than getting the solution to the problem that is “to understand the problem”. That is how the concept of innovation works someone must understand the problem before starting to search for the solution. “It's so much easier to suggest solutions when you don't know too much about the problem.”  Malcolm S. Forbes

If you can’t spend time to understand the problem then it is very difficult to come up with the solution. The positive solution is the results of intensive understanding of the problem.  Like the famous quote of Albert Einstein “If I had an hour to solve a problem I'd spend 55 minutes thinking about the problem and 5 minutes thinking about solutions.”

Regularly we think we understood the problem and we are ready to jump to the solution that is natural man instincts. Failing to understand the problem led us to come with solutions to the problems that do not exist. Two mistakes that we always do; First, we think technology is the solution while technology is just a tool and second we anticipate people need our solutions while they need us to understand their problems.

Take an example of someone who wants to develop an online booking system for local travellers in Tanzania. The fact that people don’t book tickets when they want to travel in Tanzania can be treated with many aspects. First, through the hypothesis that the booking system does not exist, second is an intelligent guess that, in our culture people don’t book when they want to travel. Simply we don’t have serious holiday seasons and all of those western methods of travelling and vacations do not apply here. Lastly, technology infrastructure does not allow an individual to do that.  The local innovator should localize his thought on the problem before coming with the solution by considering all the possibilities.

On localizing the innovative solutions, reading from the Harvard Business Review on the article “10 rules on managing global innovation” the author Keeley Wilson said ” although the challenges may be familiar, the solutions are not; what works for an innovation project conducted in a single location doesn’t necessarily work for one dispersed across many sites around the world. That’s partly because many important enablers of innovation happen naturally in colocation.

After localizing the solutions to fit the ecosystem, how you can understand the problem, someone might ask. There is no magic trick in finding solutions, you should study the problem and do enough fields study on it. If there was a magic trick then it could be sitting down with the person who faces the problem and ask him what does she think could be the possible solution and whether the person consider it to be the problem at all. Sometimes what we consider to be the problem is not the problem at all.

It’s not easy to be an innovator, you should at least know that. The late Steve Jobs used to say, Innovation is what distinguishes between leaders and followers. You can easily understand why, people they don’t care what you have they care only if what you have tend to deliver something good and they will be ready to follow you. The coolest thing about understanding the problem and sharing the same concern with the users of the solution will always ensure a usable positive solution survive in the market.

A small study; the local Tanzanian company “Maxicom Africa with their product Max Malipo” they are doing good. The only reason behind is that,  they were able to collide with people concerns on solving the problem that they were facing in real time which was wasting time in queues waiting to pay for basic daily services, like paying for a cable TV. Who want to stand in the queue for hours while he can just press a button on his mobile phone and do the payment safely.

From the success story we learnt if the problem is well understood and if there is real need of a solution then getting users of the solutions you provide is very easy First understand the problem and second localize the solution. Getting people using your solution it means creating client base for your business which will eventually grow.

On the other hand consider someone who invested millions of money in creating an app that will teach people about the importance of proper farming methods while they can’t even afford to put food on the table. Yes technology is fine; the app looks so cool but never forgets technology is just a tool. If you can’t use it wisely it’s very difficult to hit your target. Innovation always works with environment and implements ability. Localizing innovation is cheap and time saving and most of the time meets requirement of the final users of the solution.

Jumanne R. Mtambalike

Trainee Manager

Buni Innovation Space (COSTECH)

The AfDB’s Open Data Platform is now operational for the entire African continent

The African Development Bank’s Open Data Platform  is now operational for the entire African continent. This follows the completion in July 2013 of the last phase of the project for the following 14 African countries: Benin, Comoros, Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Kenya, São Tomé and Príncipe, Sierra Leone, Swaziland, and Togo. Statistical data for all 54 African countries are now available to all users at  In addition to social and economic statistics, data on key development topics such as climate change, food security, infrastructure, and gender equality can be accessed by researchers, analysts and policymakers worldwide.

The Open Data Platform is part of the AfDB’s Africa Information Highway initiative to scale up the collection, management, analysis, and sharing of quality statistics relating to the continent’s development. This ambitious initiative sees the establishment of live data links between the AfDB, National Statistical Offices, Central Banks and line ministries in all African countries on the one hand and subregional organizations, international development institutions, and a worldwide community of users on the other. By providing quality data aligned to the highest international statistical standards, the initiative will foster evidence-based decision making, good governance and public accountability. It will also allow for the tracking of progress in areas such as the Millennium Development Goals at both national and regional levels.

International development agencies, including the IMF, will be uploading and regularly updating their statistics on African countries onto the AfDB’s Open Data for Africa Platform. The Platform will function as a central hub for data-sharing with international development partners. In addition, the IMF and AfDB have formed a partnership to provide joint technical assistance to African countries to assist in their data submission and reporting.

The Open Data Platform takes statistics to a whole new level. Users can visualize time series development indicators, perform comprehensive analysis at country and regional levels, utilize presentation-ready templates or create their own visuals, blog, share their views and work with others. The website also provides new users with an introductory video on how maximize their use of the Open Data Platform, tailored to their own specific needs.
The AfDB initiative is expected to revolutionize the collection, analysis and sharing of information on Africa and so bring the continent to the forefront of the global information economy.

Distributed by the African Press Organization on behalf of the African Development Bank (AfDB).

ICANN’s Durban meeting will continue through Thursday, July 18.

The first group of Internet Registries and Registrars has signed new agreements with ICANN, bringing new generic Top-Level Domains (gTLDs) into the home stretch of going live online.

“This is a huge accomplishment,” said Fadi Chehadé, ICANN President and CEO. “We can see the last mile before the first new TLD is activated in the Internet’s root.”

Chehadé made the comments during a ceremonial signing at the opening session of ICANN’s 47th Public Meeting in Durban, South Africa.

Three companies signed the Registry Agreement (RA) while five others signed the Registrar Accreditation Agreement (RAA), including Registrars from Senegal, Australia, France and the U.S. 

Registries operate Top-Level Domains. Registrars are the entities through which domain names are registered.

The three registries applied for Top-Level Domain Names using language characters in Arabic, Chinese and Cyrillic.

During his remarks, Chehadé also acknowledged Nelson Mandela, the renowned former South African leader who is now hospitalized. Chehadé said Mandela’s philosophies should act as guiding principles in the Internet ecosystem.

“We must realize we are inherently interdependent and thus must learn to be conciliatory and Africa defines that, as does Madiba [Mandela’s clan name],” said Chehadé. “We need to maintain that Madiba spirit.”

Dr. Elham Ibrahim, the African Union’s Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy told the attendees, “The Internet is one of the greatest public gifts of the 20th century.”

“African domain names will bring financial, economic and sociocultural benefits to Africa,” said Ibrahim.

In referring to ICANN during a video address, Dr. Hamadoun Touré, the Secretary General of the International Telecommunication Union, said there needs to be a “goal of working together by cultivating a relationship based on collaboration and cooperation.”

“In a fast moving, rapidly evolving environment there are not permanent or even long term solutions,” said Touré. “What works today will not necessarily work tomorrow.  We need open on-going dialogue.”

ICANN’s Durban meeting will continue through Thursday, July 18.

Distributed by the African Press Organization on behalf of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).

The next Savannah Fund  accelerator class deadline on the 26th July.  The accelerator program is now open for the 2nd class scheduled to start in around August 2013. The accelerator program will invest $25,000 in each company in exchange for 15% common equity stake, non negotiable.  

They have also recently created an FAQ to address common questions regarding their Accelerator and have begun reviewing applications.  They look forward to reviewing your applications! If you have already applied, thanks, they are currently reviewing applications and will get in touch soon if you have progressed to phone/skype/in person interviews.

TECH360 Correspondent

Nii Quaynor will join ICANN CEO and Board Chair in Answering Journalists’ Questions at Durban News Conference

DURBAN, South Africa, July 10, 2013/ -- Dr. Nii Quaynor, often referred to as the “Father of the Internet in Africa,” will join ICANN CEO and President Fadi Chehadé (http://www.icann.org), Board Chair Dr. Stephen Crocker, and Vice President, Stakeholder Engagement for Africa Pierre Dandjinou at a news conference on Monday, 15 July - the first day of ICANN’s 47th public meeting in Durban, South Africa.

A recent inductee into the Internet Hall of Fame, Dr. Quaynor has spent two decades promoting the Internet’s growth across the African continent. He will answer questions about the expansion of the Internet in Africa and how increased online access is expanding business potential and information access across the region.

The news conference will also address ICANN’s role in Internet growth and its increased efforts to internationalize the organization.

In addition to taking questions on the global expansion of the Internet, the four will also answer questions on a variety of other ICANN related subjects, ranging from the new expansion of Domain Names to ICANN’s plans to increase its presence in Africa.

Journalists are also encouraged to attend the Welcome Ceremony and President’s Opening Session on Monday, 15 July at 0830.  Dr. Elham Ibrahim, the African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy will be among the speakers. 

Press Release

Remember when you were in primary school and your teacher asks you. Have you understood the problem and after you said yes. Only then she allows you to do the question. Our teacher realizes there is something more important than getting the solution to the problem that is “to understand the problem”. That is how the concept of innovation works someone must understand the problem before starting to search for the solution. “It's so much easier to suggest solutions when you don't know too much about the problem.”  Malcolm S. Forbes

If you can’t spend time to understand the problem then it is very difficult to come up with the solution. The positive solution is the results of intensive understanding of the problem.  Like the famous quote of Albert Einstein “If I had an hour to solve a problem I'd spend 55 minutes thinking about the problem and 5 minutes thinking about solutions.”

Regularly we think we understood the problem and we are ready to jump to the solution that is natural man instincts. Failing to understand the problem led us to come with solutions to the problems that do not exist. Two mistakes that we always do; First, we think technology is the solution while technology is just a tool and second we anticipate people need our solutions while they need us to understand their problems.

Take an example of someone who wants to develop an online booking system for local travellers in Tanzania. The fact that people don’t book tickets when they want to travel in Tanzania can be treated with many aspects. First, through the hypothesis that the booking system does not exist, second is an intelligent guess that, in our culture people don’t book when they want to travel. Simply we don’t have serious holiday seasons and all of those western methods of travelling and vacations do not apply here. Lastly, technology infrastructure does not allow an individual to do that.  The local innovator should localize his thought on the problem before coming with the solution by considering all the possibilities.

On localizing the innovative solutions, reading from the Harvard Business Review on the article “10 rules on managing global innovation” the author Keeley Wilson said ” although the challenges may be familiar, the solutions are not; what works for an innovation project conducted in a single location doesn’t necessarily work for one dispersed across many sites around the world. That’s partly because many important enablers of innovation happen naturally in colocation.

After localizing the solutions to fit the ecosystem, how you can understand the problem, someone might ask. There is no magic trick in finding solutions, you should study the problem and do enough fields study on it. If there was a magic trick then it could be sitting down with the person who faces the problem and ask him what does she think could be the possible solution and whether the person consider it to be the problem at all. Sometimes what we consider to be the problem is not the problem at all.

It’s not easy to be an innovator, you should at least know that. The late Steve Jobs used to say, Innovation is what distinguishes between leaders and followers. You can easily understand why, people they don’t care what you have they care only if what you have tend to deliver something good and they will be ready to follow you. The coolest thing about understanding the problem and sharing the same concern with the users of the solution will always ensure a usable positive solution survive in the market.

A small study; the local Tanzanian company “Maxicom Africa with their product Max Malipo” they are doing good. The only reason behind is that,  they were able to collide with people concerns on solving the problem that they were facing in real time which was wasting time in queues waiting to pay for basic daily services, like paying for a cable TV. Who want to stand in the queue for hours while he can just press a button on his mobile phone and do the payment safely.

From the success story we learnt if the problem is well understood and if there is real need of a solution then getting users of the solutions you provide is very easy First understand the problem and second localize the solution. Getting people using your solution it means creating client base for your business which will eventually grow.

On the other hand consider someone who invested millions of money in creating an app that will teach people about the importance of proper farming methods while they can’t even afford to put food on the table. Yes technology is fine; the app looks so cool but never forgets technology is just a tool. If you can’t use it wisely it’s very difficult to hit your target. Innovation always works with environment and implements ability. Localizing innovation is cheap and time saving and most of the time meets requirement of the final users of the solution.

Jumanne R. Mtambalike

Trainee Manager

Buni Innovation Space (COSTECH)