The first ever Disruptive Africa Expo took place right here in Nigeria on the 14th of October, 2014. Prior to the Expo, we did bring you the report, intimating you about the Expo, what entrepreneurs, companies and individuals alike, stand to gain by attending this EXPO. If you missed that, read it up HERE. However, the Expo lived true to the expectations as experts from the United Kingdom and the United States were in attendance, impacting knowledge to all attendees.
The event which took place at Four Points by Sheraton, was the initiative of The Disruptive Africa Network which is a group of industry professionals who come together to discuss problems faced in the community, and ideates solutions using latest technologies. In this case, the Disruptive Africa Network had identified that, there will be a major shift in the African business ecosystem. As a result, technological evolution and advancement would be experienced which could cause an enormous growth in the economy of developed countries if properly taken advantage of, whilst hitting Africa 5 years from now.
Some of the speakers and experts at the event included, Maarten Ectors, Vice President of IoT, Canonical/Ubuntu; Alan Quayle (Organizers of Tad Hack/Tad Summit); Dean Bubley, founder, Disruptive Analysis UK; David Alozie, Founder, Wiretooth Technologies amongst others.
Top on the discuss was how to increase efficiency, save cost and maximize profit as both companies and individuals. Each speaker had something new to talk to the attendees about.
David Alozie, the convener and Founder, Wiretooth Technologies, also made the attendees understand ‘it would be dangerous for the African economy if we don’t start embarking on capacity-building and infrastructural projects. This initiative will ensure a good chunk of the Trillions of Dollars generated, remains in the African Economy which will foster economical sustainability’.
There were pitches from Startups with Disruptive innovative business ideas like Hardroite Engineering, Lucy.ng, Callbase.
The event seemed to be a success with the feedback received from attendees who insist that more awareness would be needed for this initiative to be known across Nigeria and Africa.
Presently, a round-table discussion is being held monthly at the Lagos Ministry of Science and technologies for Key players and stakeholders to come together to discuss issues and solutions leveraging latest Disruptive technologies. From the last table discussions, the following issues were addressed;
- Traffic
- The Need for Diversification of Revenue beyond Oil & Gas and Agriculture.
- The need for the Government to leverage more on Open source solutions
- The need to Encourage and build Skillsets in Latest Technologies (IoT, Big Data, Robotics)
- The need for Reverse-Mentorship
- The need for the African Government to start taking advantage of the Unstructured Big Data produced every day in Africa.
- The Need to Launch a Satellite to serve the unserved
- Generating Revenue through Ads by Offering free WIFI
- The Call of the African Government to Own their problems or lose control of the Economy
- The need of African Government to take charge of their Big Data
- Implementation of Good CSR policies for Private Companies to Encourage Capacity building
- The need to Regulate and manage the Influx of Technology solutions provided by Tech giants
For us to nurture innovation, it’s not a matter of 6months, 12 months, or few years. We need to run long term research projects that will benefit our economy.
The Disruptive Africa Network seek to be a voice to Government for the people to partner with the Government in harnessing the limitless and untapped opportunities in Technologies in order to foster economic advancement.
