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a16z Podcast | Things Come Together -- Truths about Tech in Africa
34 segments available
We often hear stats like “more people have mobile phones than toilets” about places like Africa, but what does that actually mean for people? “It is b.s.,” (no pun intended), argues one of the guests on this episode. Then there are statistical predictions about mobile penetration and usage — for example, that there will be one mobile phone per African within just three years. But how do we make sense of such stats, in context? It may make more sense to measure devices per household … and to also consider power structures and whether women, too, truly have such access. Finally, since access is mainly about affordability, what good is a smartphone with an internet connection if data plans are prohibitively expensive? Watching just one YouTube video could cost an African family an entire month of groceries. Yet mobile and wi-fi may be collapsing Maslow’s famous hierarchy of needs. With three experts from various backgrounds and regions of Africa — Nkiru Balonwu of international music media company Spinlet; Alan Knott-Craig of free wi-fi non-profit Project Isiszwe; and Nanjira Sambuli of Kenyan startup incubator iHub — we explore the nuances of what connectivity in Africa really means, from the field. How does this change app design? What does it mean for doing business with Africa? What does it mean for businesses in Africa trying to compete with Silicon Valley (is there really local advantage)? All this and more in this episode of the a16z Podcast. photo: David Mutua
Segments Timeline
Welcome to the a16z Podcast
In this opening segment, the host introduces the a16z podcast and sets the stage for a discussion on technology in Africa. The episode features experts from various regions of Africa who will help unpack the complexities behind common statistics and buzzwords related to technology on the continent.
"hi everyone welcome to the a 6nz podcast and today this podcast is all about technology and Africa now that's a really huge topic so we have experts from various backgrounds and regions of Africa to h..."
Meet the Experts
The host introduces the three guests: Alan Knott-Craig, Nkiru Balonwu, and Nanjira Sambuli. Each expert brings unique insights from their respective fields, including free Wi-Fi initiatives, digital media, and startup incubation in Africa. Their diverse backgrounds will enrich the conversation about technology's impact on the continent.
"is our next guest and she is the CEO spin let a digital media company that focuses on African centric music and has music available on iOS Android and also via web browser and we'll talk more about wh..."
De-Homogenizing Africa
The discussion begins with the need to de-homogenize the perception of Africa. The guests emphasize that Africa is not a monolith; it consists of 53 countries, each with distinct cultures and experiences. This segment highlights the importance of recognizing these differences in the context of technology and business.
"half and finally we have Nandita the research lead at AI hub I hubs an incubator not an accelerator although it does lead to acceleration of startups it's based in Kenya and provides a physical space ..."
Cultural Nuances in Business
The guests discuss the common misconception that a business model successful in one African country will work in another. They stress the importance of understanding local cultures and contexts to avoid costly mistakes in business strategies across the continent.
"like one big place and you know I don't have any personal experience in Africa my mom was born and raised in Uganda and I studied African literature in particularly Nigerian authors like florianópolis..."
Stereotypes and Misconceptions
The conversation shifts to stereotypes about African countries and their people. The guests share their perspectives on how these stereotypes can lead to misunderstandings, particularly in media portrayals and business interactions, emphasizing the need for a more nuanced view of Africa.
"made from that notion and it's that sort of deal or actually homogenizing of it but yes there are notions where I mean they're in little cultural nuances that make it seem like a country but they're v..."
Mobile Technology as an Equalizer
The experts discuss the role of mobile technology in Africa, describing it as a potential equalizer in various sectors. They highlight how mobile technology has disrupted traditional systems, enabling leapfrogging in communication and financial services, particularly through innovations like M-Pesa.
"of course there's similarities like everybody else but the difference is really really quite harsh the differences and so when you say you backpack across the continent for three weeks and then you th..."
Challenges of Internet Access
Despite the advancements in mobile technology, the guests point out significant challenges regarding internet access in Africa. They discuss the issues of infrastructure, affordability, and the need for government involvement to ensure that internet access becomes a utility for all.
"you must actually see more of the commonalities across the region's the way I look at it is you've got kind of erratic Africa which is very much the northern part from Sahara and then you've got sub-s..."
The Cost of Connectivity
The segment addresses the high costs associated with internet access in Africa. The guests provide examples of how expensive data plans can be, illustrating the disparity between owning a smartphone and having affordable internet access, which is crucial for participation in the digital economy.
"you know at least from an english-speaking perspective sub-saharan Africa is as close to a homogeneous market as you can get oh okay that's actually interesting but I just want to say also you know th..."
The Role of Government in Connectivity
The discussion emphasizes the need for government intervention in providing affordable internet access. The guests argue that just as water and electricity are considered basic rights, so too should internet access be treated, advocating for public Wi-Fi initiatives to bridge the digital divide.
"so you guys said then what is the major commonality then because you know based on what a lot of the reports that I read about technology in Africa a big focus is talking about mobile as this sort of ..."
Dreaming of Internet Access as a Right
The guests reflect on the idea of internet access as a fundamental right. They discuss the potential for the internet to provide opportunities for education, business, and social inclusion, urging for a collective push towards making affordable access a reality for all Africans.
"ourselves to thinking that mobile is the only sort of tool through which advancements and developments can happen as far as I see T's go there's so many other things that come with the idea of a mobil..."
Smartphone Projections and Reality
The segment concludes with a discussion on projections for smartphone penetration in Africa. The guests analyze the implications of having one smartphone per African, emphasizing that ownership does not equate to actual internet access, and the need for infrastructure to support this growth.
"having having personally you know tried and failed a number of times I've done it okay here and there but for the most part any any internet startup in Africa is really struggling to kind of get any t..."
Internet Access as a Right
In this segment, the discussion revolves around the necessity of internet access as a fundamental right. The speakers argue that access to the internet can empower individuals by providing essential information for business, health, and education. They emphasize the importance of affordability and inclusion, suggesting that society should strive for a more ambitious goal of universal internet access, rather than accepting the limitations imposed by government mismanagement.
"government doesn't have as much money as I sure do and because of mismanagement but if people had access to the Internet perhaps I think that it creates like a whole opportunity for people to access i..."
Smartphone Projections vs. Reality
This segment highlights the disparity between smartphone ownership projections and actual internet access in Africa. The speakers discuss a statistic predicting 930 million smartphones in Africa by 2019, yet they clarify that this does not equate to actual internet access. They explore the challenges of smartphone penetration and the need to understand the difference between having a mobile phone and having reliable internet connectivity.
"guys are completely right it's worth actually taking a pause for a moment to reflect on those words because we tend to throw them around very loosely here in the u.s. like access affordability but you..."
The Cost of Connectivity
The conversation shifts to the economic barriers affecting smartphone adoption in Africa. The speakers discuss how high prices hinder access to smartphones, despite the emergence of cheaper Android devices. They emphasize the importance of understanding the broader ecosystem beyond mobile phones, including alternative access points like cyber cafes, which serve as vital resources for those without personal devices.
"whatever almost everybody has a mobile phone but they're not smart and it's not enabled so this is difference here right I'm glad you're reminding us to make that distinction so it's my phone not pene..."
Cultural Barriers to Internet Access
In this segment, the speakers address cultural factors that impact internet access, particularly for women. They discuss how traditional property ownership structures can limit women's access to mobile phones and the internet. The conversation emphasizes the need for qualitative insights alongside statistics to understand the true barriers to connectivity and inclusion in society.
"facilitated I mean because there's also the question we're asking ourselves now is instead is that we're conducting with people at sort of the base of the pyramid or those who bout to be first-time In..."
Understanding User Needs
The speakers share insights from user experience studies aimed at understanding the needs of first-time internet users in Africa. They highlight the importance of recognizing that access needs extend beyond mobile phones, and they discuss the role of community resources like cyber cafes in providing internet access. This segment underscores the necessity of tailoring services to meet the diverse needs of users.
"interesting um do you have some of those statistics or a little can you give us a little bit more flavor about what that looks like right so what we found it's really mostly studies that we do user ex..."
Behavioral Insights on Device Sharing
This segment explores the behavioral patterns surrounding device sharing in low-income communities. The speakers discuss how many households share a single device among multiple users, which complicates the understanding of device penetration statistics. They also touch on the need for education regarding data usage and internet access, emphasizing that many users still measure data in terms of time rather than size.
"will have them Allen do you want to jump in here and maybe share a perspective on what you're seeing from a more systemic level working with governments across Africa especially because I think what N..."
Entertainment as a Key Content Driver
The discussion shifts to the types of content that drive internet usage in Africa, with a focus on entertainment. The speakers highlight the popularity of music videos, sports, and faith-based content as significant drivers of internet engagement. They note that despite economic challenges, there is a growing middle class that seeks entertainment, which shapes the content landscape and internet usage patterns.
"communities but there's a big sharing behavior so a lot of people are sharing devices so it's not so much about how many people have a device it's about how many households ahead of us and if there's ..."
Aspirations and Mobile Culture
In this concluding segment, the speakers reflect on the aspirational nature of mobile culture in Africa. They discuss how individuals in urban areas desire to connect with modernity and trends, which influences their spending on mobile devices and services. The conversation emphasizes the dynamic and evolving landscape of technology adoption in Africa, countering stereotypes of poverty with narratives of growth and aspiration.
"some of the statistics we're talking about together you guys are sort of sharing both different ways of putting those numbers that we typically hear in context I think what you pointed out about measu..."
Entertainment as a Key Driver
This segment delves into the surprising popularity of entertainment content in Africa, despite the prevailing narrative of mobile phones as mere utilities. The conversation touches on the aspirations of the growing middle class and how entertainment, including music and sports, plays a significant role in people's lives. It challenges the stereotype of poverty by showcasing the vibrant cultural landscape and consumer behavior in Africa.
"your observations in guru given that you run a music company it's a big continent and there's definitely a lot of poverty but in saying that there's a growing middle class and you know you can't solve..."
The Aspirational Nature of Mobile Phones
The guests discuss the dual role of mobile phones in Africa as both essential utilities and aspirational devices. They emphasize the importance of recognizing the growing middle class and the spectrum of economic diversity across the continent. This segment argues against a one-dimensional view of Africa, highlighting the positive developments and the desire for connectivity and modernity among its people.
"and we can sort of like look at different perspectives rather than just focusing on the bad all the bad stuff that goes on here as everywhere else I think it's interesting actually cuz you guys are pa..."
Access and Contribution in the Digital Economy
This segment raises critical questions about access to the internet and the potential for Africans to contribute to the global economy. It discusses the need for a shift from viewing mobile phones solely as consumption devices to recognizing their potential for creativity and production. The conversation reflects on the challenges of infrastructure and power supply that hinder broader participation in the digital landscape.
"one there's this famous quote about Steve Jobs I don't know if it's true or not if it's just anecdote saying that you know getting this criticism that the iPad was only intended to be you know for con..."
Redefining Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
The guests explore the idea of collapsing Maslow's hierarchy of needs, suggesting that access to the internet is becoming as crucial as basic survival needs like water. This segment discusses the implications of prioritizing internet access in development agendas and the complexities of governance in ensuring equitable access to resources across Africa.
"it's just an interesting place to be what you can do both yeah no I think it's fascinating it's like collapsing Maslow's hierarchy of needs it's sort of like saying there's like this funny diagram tha..."
User Experience in African Tech
This segment focuses on the importance of user experience design in African tech applications. The discussion highlights the need for mobile-centric designs that cater to diverse user needs and the nuances of accessing the internet in different contexts. It emphasizes that understanding local consumer behavior is essential for creating effective digital solutions in Africa.
"a teacher so when it comes to votes and who just in deciding who gets into part we're never gonna have better leadership if people don't know what's going on oh that's a good point so like sort of kno..."
The Browser vs. Apps Debate
The conversation shifts to the relevance of web browsers versus mobile apps in Africa, where data costs are a significant concern. This segment discusses how many users prefer accessing services through browsers to avoid the data consumption associated with app downloads. It highlights the need for tech companies to adapt their strategies to the unique challenges of the African market.
"and you just have to make it mobile centric you just have to make it mobile centric and that is this is known as absolutely irrelevant whether it looks nice on the laptop and it's just not great adven..."
Messaging Apps and User Behavior
In this segment, the guests discuss the role of messaging apps like WhatsApp in Africa and how they are used across different demographics. The conversation reflects on the generational differences in app usage and the surprising prevalence of messaging among older users. This segment provides insights into how communication preferences shape the digital landscape in Africa.
"when you're accessing the Internet via browser you don't have to download an app that would sort of chop up all your data yeah it also puts to rest some of the academic debates people have about wheth..."
Lessons from Mixit: The Rise and Fall
Alan Knott-Craig shares insights on Mixit, a once-popular messaging platform in Africa, discussing its initial success due to low-cost texting. The segment reflects on the challenges faced by local tech companies when competing against American giants and the importance of understanding local markets to avoid pitfalls. This narrative serves as a cautionary tale for emerging tech startups in Africa.
"compared to using the usual Talco line so mentioning very us centric apps and actually wanted to direct this to Alan to talk a bit about mix it in its heyday well say you know of the questionable hono..."
WhatsApp as a Community Tool
This segment highlights how WhatsApp has become a vital tool for community organization in South Africa, particularly in response to crime. The speakers discuss innovative uses of messaging apps for reporting incidents and facilitating communication between citizens and law enforcement, showcasing the app's role in enhancing community safety and engagement.
"well it's interesting that you talk about it opening itself up into a platform because that's exactly right to see what comes next but what I think is really fascinating is a use cases where I've seen..."
Local Advantage vs. Global Competition
The discussion focuses on the competitive landscape for African tech startups in the face of global players like Apple and Amazon. The speakers debate the concept of local advantage, emphasizing that while local knowledge is crucial, the overwhelming capital and technological power of American companies pose significant challenges. This segment explores the dynamics of innovation and competition in the African tech ecosystem.
"something like that and the way I see this kind of evolving around yeah is one of the one of the new services we we're helping the government deploy is is the equivalent of uber but for for the police..."
Navigating Local Challenges in Tech
In this concluding segment, the speakers share examples of local startups that have successfully leveraged their understanding of African contexts to create relevant solutions. They discuss the importance of adapting technology to local needs and the ongoing challenges posed by international competition. This segment encapsulates the resilience and ingenuity of African entrepreneurs in the tech space.
"goal but there's lots of things that in Silicon Valley you know people in some guys sitting in a cappuccinos cappuccino in San Francisco's just not gonna think about yeah if you've got a problem that ..."
Competing with Global Giants
The conversation shifts to the challenges African businesses face when competing against global giants like Amazon. The speakers emphasize the importance of local knowledge and how international companies often underestimate the need for local insights when entering African markets.
"of once they start gaining traction as was mentioned and Sue starts gaining attention and other people start to see what you're onto how do you make sure they don't breach you to market it's something..."
Women and Technology in Africa
This segment explores the role of women in technology across Africa, discussing the existing gender disparities in internet access and participation. The speakers highlight the importance of empowering women and addressing societal barriers to ensure equitable access to technology.
"things in cutting collaboration reflecting on this notion of competing with business around the world and and locally any final reflections on things that people should know who are trying to build bu..."
Rethinking Statistics on Mobile Access
The speakers critique the often-cited statistic that there are more mobile phones than toilets in Africa, questioning its implications and accuracy. They call for a deeper understanding of the context behind such statistics and emphasize the need for qualitative insights to complement quantitative data.
"numbers of women on a panel it also goes now - we will criticize whether they actually get to be asked questions based on the expertise and not just because they're feeling a diversity quota and you s..."
Empowering Women Beyond STEM
In this closing segment, the discussion focuses on the narrative surrounding women in STEM fields. The speakers express concern over the framing of women's capabilities and advocate for a broader recognition of women's potential in various fields, emphasizing the need for supportive environments rather than just technical training.
"that bring out its diversity and also make for wise investment decisions actually I wanted to talk about like you know the idea of women in technology and how it's been niggling about niggling at me f..."