News flash: I'm right hereSo, I keep getting all these emails from the West (Canada, US) asking when I'm coming "home," or if I'm still in Africa. My reply to everyone? Yes, I'm still over here in Nairobi, Kenya and I've gotten involved with a hot, upcoming e-Business community web portal, which I truly believe is going to make a lot of noise in the East Africa region; heck, the entire continent if things go as Sam (a local Nairobi businessman) and I envision. By the way, the concept for this site is totally awesome. Read on.
Connect & prosper
I mentioned here that there are "tons of business opportunities" in this region. However, I perceive that Western entrepreneurs are a bit slow when it comes to taking a bite out of the dark continent - relative to other parts of the globe. I recognise this, but I don't agree with it. I will say this though. By this time next year (2007), there will be a dramatic transformation in East Africa thanks to a 20 Gigabit under-sea fibre optic link (called EASSy) that's supposed to lower telecom and ISP charges considerably. I also read somewhere that this link has the capacity to handle 640 Gigabits of data should the region require it. Once everyone starts connecting, more dollar $igns will flow - just like black gold (oil).
For example, take a look at Rwanda's boom thanks to the digital magic of fibre.
{note: Click on pic above to see workers laying fibre in Rwanda}
Rwanda ahead of Kenya in affordable DSL
Quick, what's the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Rwanda? Come on, be honest! Well, for me, it sure isn't cheap high-speed Internet access or economic development. But that's exactly what's taking place there right now. In fact, they've surpassed Kenya - a country who's capital is the economic hub of East Africa - in the cheap DSL department, and they're not looking back. And because of this affordable bandwidth, quite a few overseas companies are either headed to Kigali to set up lucrative call centre operations, or they're giving it some serious thought. I'm glad this is happening though because it'll put a sh!t load of pressure on Kenya to smarten up and stamp out corruption lest the country falls further behind. In this case, the potential loss of economic opportunity is going to be a big wake up call for Kenya's leadership. I hope they don't screw up because there's a lot at stake to lose in this competitive game they call "globalisation."
Did somebody say e-Business?
Now I don't know about you, but I've become so dependant on the Internet that I'd be lost without it - seriously. Look, you can take away the idiot box (TV), my land line or even the radio, but pleeeze don't mess with my Internet access (or my free digital music). All that other "stuff" I can get on the Net thanks to revolutionary technologies like IPTV, VoIP a la Skype, and streaming media. Thus I predict that when the proposed fibre link arrives, all sorts of wonderful things will begin to happen digitally - like e-Business. That's why I'm tickled pink about this project (business opportunity) that landed right in my lap - literally. Talk about being in the right place at the right time. You see, the dude who encouraged me to come down here talked a good game, but he couldn't deliver the business goods, and he left empty-handed.
Taking care of business
So, what is this e-Business website that I'm involved with entail? Initially, it will offer the following features:
- An online Bazaar that aims to have almost every consumer product and service under the sun thanks to our affiliates – eventually.
- A unique online lifestyles magazine that promises to engage the minds of its readers, thus guaranteeing repeat visitors.
- An innovative DVD movie rental service with an online presence that has no equal in Africa - so far.
- A bricks and mortar Pharmacy with an online presence that makes deliveries.
- An eye opening Art gallery showcasing art (paintings, sculptures, jewellery, etc.) from talented grassroots artists throughout Africa.
- The most innovative online Motoring experience in the region that will allow auto dealers, buyers and sellers to conduct business.
- ...plus many more cool ideas that are cooking at our Labs in the Beta Zone
To conclude, East Africa is definitely ready for e-Business thanks to all the wonderful developments that are taking place as we speak. And I intend to take advantage of this one way or the other. Oh, I'll fill you in on the website once it's fully operational.
Happy computing.
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Related links:
- East Africa needs a fair entry-ticket to afford cyberspace: Easing Access to EASSy
- The EASSy project page
- Timbuktu Chronicles (Emeka Okafor's amazing blog which is a "view of Africa & Africans with a focus on entrepreneurship, innovation,technology...")
- Need cheap DSL? Go to Rwanda
- New CDMA network for Kenya
- African broadband access accelerates
- iBURST: The Future of Wireless Broadband in Africa?
- Building the foundation for e-business in Africa
- Rising Wages in China, Africa's Opportunity?
- E-Commerce for Developing Countries: impact, obstacles and policies
- Africa Can Be Built By Entrepreneurs
- Rwanda: from doomsday to boom time
8 comments:
this is very good post.
do you see rwanda keeping ahead of kenya in internet next year? our company looking to set up office in that area but dont know if stiill better to do kenya or not.
good luck with business idea. it sounds very nice.
Torston, I definitely see Rwanda staying ahead of the curve in ICT. The problem with Kenya is that it doesn't have a Paul Kagame. Period. He does not tolerate corruption and is determined to make his nation the IT hub of Africa. Take a peek at RITA and you'll see they're not looking back.
This is a good thing though as it'll ultimately put pressure on Kenya's leadership to smarten up lest development heads over to Rwanda.
Heck, I'm looking forward to visiting there too.
According to RITA's home page, "the Rwandan government is pursuing the creation of a knowledge-based economy, in which ICT will play a central role.The objective is to use ICT for poverty reduction through its catalytic and leveraging effect on improving access to basic services, education and health interventions."
very interesting...I just did a google blog search on "kenya" and "e-business" and your blog came up.
you are right about kenya not having a paul kagame. what do you expect when the country is run by a bunch of octeganarians.
I heard that the underground cable would not be allowed to pass through kenya. is this true?
it's amazing to me how kenya, an English speaking country with lots of smart, college educated, young graduates would not think about developing the IT sector to attract outsourcing dollars! I suppose the rwandese will start luring Kenya's, well educated English speakers to kigali.
hello max thats very good post,but i want to believe that kenya will keep a head of rwanda,regardless of kenya being corrupt and all that stuff but there are still people who are very focussed so i see kenya being a head of rwanda.
"you are right about kenya not having a paul kagame. what do you expect when the country is run by a bunch of octeganarians."
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Well, I would expect the FEEDING FRENZY of corruption to slow down a bit, and just let the country take her rightfull place and simply FLOURISH. I'm amazed how creative the PRIVATE sector is over here in spite of such obstacles. Imagine if they VANISHED over night?
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"I heard that the underground cable would not be allowed to pass through kenya. is this true?"
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Actually, I heard from a dude who used to resell satellite bandwidth in Tanzania that the World Bank (or whoever is donating cash) will NOT provide any (more?) funding UNLESS the network is OPEN ACCESS. In other words, if the telcos try to maintain their monopoly AND artificially keep prices high while NOT allowing other gateway resellers to COMPETE, then they will NOT open the purse strings in order for the project to be completed. Stay tuned.
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"it's amazing to me how kenya, an English speaking country with lots of smart, college educated, young graduates would not think about developing the IT sector to attract outsourcing dollars! I suppose the rwandese will start luring Kenya's, well educated English speakers to kigali."
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Well a few weeks ago, there was a whole lot of hoopla on the idiot box (the TV) about the government "committing" to creating 30,000 jobs in order to take advantage of Call Centre & outsourcing opportunities. I asked a business associate his views about this "committment" and he said that it's standard policy here to TALK, TALK, TALK, but nothing concrete ever materialises.
You're right...Kenya probably has the most EDUCATED population in all of Africa - per capita. But what use is this in order to take advantage of lucrative call centre and outsourcing opportunities IF the telecommunications infrastruce here keeps holding the country back? I mean, Rwanda has the baggage of genocide and rebuilding to deal with, yet they APPEAR to have their act together. The progress they're making over THERE in telecom should've happened here a LONG time ago.
But if English-speaking Kenyans can find ICT opportunities in Rwanda, then who can blame them, eh?? :-)
What's that old saying? "BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME.
"hello max thats very good post,but i want to believe that kenya will keep a head of rwanda,regardless of kenya being corrupt and all that stuff but there are still people who are very focussed so i see kenya being a head of rwanda."
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Hi there! But it's not the issue of people being very focused. The issue is this: Is the government committed (focused) enough to create a hospitable climate for business and development to FLOURISH. Only the man upstairs knows for sure how many OPPORTUNITIES were LOST due to the high level of corruption in the country.
Blogger, This blog is great! I'll be sure to visit more often now that I have earthlink dsl!
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