All over Africa, there is a significant realization that tech is the wave of the future. African government ministers are traveling around the world from San Francisco to the UAE to Bangladesh pitching opportunities for new investors and building deals. Technology has also quickly become a major item on the development agenda, thanks in large part to Africa's new tech champions and a blooming tech sector. This month, NetSquared presents "Technology and Innovation in Africa." What's being done, what needs to be done, and how technology can help alleviate some of the dire situations the people of Africa face.
OUR SPEAKERS:
Andrew Mack, Founder and Principal of AMGlobal Consulting and a former World Bank official, has worked in over 70 countries - with special emphasis on emerging markets in Latin America, Asia, and especially Africa. He has represented international donors, NGOs, and private sector firms such as Oracle, Chevron, Motorola, and Volvo in work with Emerging Markets around the world. AMGlobal helps companies increase and deepen their work in emerging economies. He has written about, presented at and participated in IT related conferences around the world, and most recently was asked to be a Guest Blogger at next month 's PopTech! 2007.
Kim Lowery, Co-Executive Director of Kabissa, started there in 2001 as a volunteer, assisting with strategic planning and marketing. In 2003, she became Kabissa's Program Manager and in July 2005, became Co-Executive Director and assumed responsibility for Kabissa's finances, human resources and the management of the Time to Get Online program. She has expertise in international project management and IT system implementations. She holds a degree in economics and an international MBA. Kabissa ( http://www.kabissa.or...) makes technology a force for change in Africa and provide hundreds of grassroots organizations with Internet services and training, helping them to do what they do better.
OUR SPONSOR:
Grand Junction Design is a small Web design and development studio that works exclusively with progressive nonprofits. We have remained small by design, so that we can limit our work to select groups whose missions we support personally, and continue to provide our clients with the highest quality service. Our services include web site design, Drupal installation and configuration, and online communication strategy. To learn more about GJD, please visit www.grandjunctiondesign.com.
Want to start thinking about this month's topic? Check out Andrew's article calling for an Africa Tech Corps (www.busiweek.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3537&Itemid=39) or an interview with Kim on the NetSquared blog (www.netsquared.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=239005).
“ Was inspired by some of the folks I met-- it was awesome to walk into a room of 50 strangers and feel surrounded by creative and entrepreneurial people who share the desire to do something more than just make names & fortunes for themselves. ”
“ The speakers were insightful and their contrasting perspectives helped provide a fuller appreciation of the diverse activities and opportunities in Africa. ”
“ Great discussion, I noticed there was not as much time left for networking afterward though... ”
Talk about this Meetup
Delete this comment?
This comment has been deleted.