The middle class in sub-Saharan Africa is expanding rapidly. With the seemingly unstoppable growth of the mobile phone, greater access to the internet, and an increase in access to education, change is happening, and more people have more disposable income to spend. So it's no surprise that the big technology companies are investing in Africa. But is this the whole story?
Becky Willmoth's insight:
Whilst historically investment in Africa would have been philanthropic in origin, emerging markets on the continent have been identified as game changing business opportunities for organisations that are willing to invest in them. Three technology giants - IBM, Microsoft and Salesforce.com - are focusing their investment on local organisations, entrepreneurs, developers and students, empowering them to capitalise on the potential technology brings. This approach seeks to accelerate economic development, boosting the ability and readiness of local economies to do business.