TRENDS
private sector does it better. In South Africa, for example, the private sector typically plays a critical role and the government needn’t invest heavily in IT infrastructure. The private sector’s contribution to the energy sector is becoming apparent. In other African countries, the private sector is typically a little slower to invest. In the networking space, the deployment of mobile networks in the 90s and 2000s provided an opportunity for many providers to leapfrog many legacy networking stages. This trend will
one that creates a sustainable impact in Africa. How? Well, Africa’s networks need to be built, and powered, data needs to be stored, decentralised and secured. The benefits of the digital economy must be appropriately translated for an African context characterised by a wide variety of localised needs and unique regulatory requirements. PUBLIC-PRIVATE COLLABORATION NEEDED Both the public and private sectors have a role to play. International investors have recognised the “NEC XON plans to be firmly at the centre of Africa’s growth, helping to orchestrate a brighter future through a vision that will be beneficial to all.”
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D igital transformation is a key African economic growth driver and will change the way we learn, work, transact and interact. Digital infrastructure will create an environment for e-government services, education, smart agriculture and digital business that could transform the continent into a global economic powerhouse. That infrastructure includes digital identity, cybersecurity, networks and data centres. International aid agencies, microfinance and development finance institutions that historically focused on industrialisation, agriculture, poverty alleviation and education now include digital transformation in their efforts. AFRICA NEEDS RELIABLE ENERGY Africa’s growth and digital transformation will rely on the availability of stable and reliable energy. Schools, hospitals, farms, water treatment plants, pumping stations, SMEs, industry, networks, data centres, and government services all need to be powered. There is rapid global migration toward clean, renewable and sustainable sources of energy. Africa’s lack of electricity transmission infrastructure is not necessarily a hindrance, as it allows for distributed energy generation models, minimising transmission losses and maximising renewable energy investments. NEC XON plans to be firmly at the centre of Africa’s growth, helping to orchestrate a brighter future through a vision that will be beneficial to all. Not a purely commercial vision, but By Gary Munro, VP of Africa Operations at NEC XON
continue into the future. New innovative operators have an opportunity to
disrupt the market using 5G OpenRAN. Simultaneously, Meta’s Telecom Infra Project provides flexibility of hardware and software pairings they choose for their data centers and network peering infrastructure. GLOBAL STRENGTH NEC XON is perfectly positioned to leverage its relationship with parent company NEC to Africa’s benefit. NEC
correlation between digital transformation, energy - and
economic growth. Africa is benefitting from large investments in start-ups in areas like Fintech, Finsure, IoT, digital infrastructure and renewable technologies. Where private sector investment is lacking, African governments are investing in digital infrastructure and renewable energy. They are creating digital acceleration roadmaps that provide policy certainty – the key that unlocks private sector investment, encourages confidence and stimulates infrastructure growth. ENCOURAGING INVESTMENT THROUGH POLICY The regulatory environment needs to promote ease and security of long-term energy and technology investments. While some sectors in African countries are reserved for local companies or governments, on the whole our experience is that the
has transitioned from being a Japanese company into a truly
global player developing local solutions in those markets - while drawing on the best expertise to solve problems using its global diversity of experience. We need to think beyond the
Africa’s digital and energy transformation
EXCITING TIMES:
bottom line and, using our deep understanding of African needs, work with governments and customers to help Africa build that bright future it so richly deserves.
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