By Theresa Igata

The coming together of experts and scholars at the Verdant Zeal Innovention lecture series was yet again another time to speak on how technology is driving Africa’s new narrative : from banking,  the film industry, new media etc.

Speaking at the 6th edition of the lecture series and 10th anniversary of the Verdant Zeal group,  the Executive Vice Chairman Verdant Zeal group, Tunji Olugbodi said,  “Africa is gradually moving from a resource based economy to knowledge base,  innovation-driven economy as in recent years, a lot of African countries have embraced technology as a driver of development. This has helped in impacting our youths as more of them above average exposure to the internet: sharing ideas, content and commercial opportunities seamlessly across the globe.  These giant strides have happened regardless of red tape bureaucracy that typifies governance across the continent.”

Olugbodi added that while internet penetration continues to grow as we seek to close the gap on ICT, with Western climes and with all other trends, Nigeria leads the continent and is expected to be among the top 10 internet users in the world by 2018.

“Amidst these giant strides in technology, there still remains a large demography if young people,  mostly women who remain in rural and semi-urban areas,  below the poverty line and seem unable to tap into this new economy”

Nigeria leading the pack

For the guest lecturer,  founder,  JC Capital,  Joel Chimhanda,  “Africans should think as Africans.  Africa needs its own Silicon Valley and its high time we begin to drive our new narrative. ”

According to Chimhanda, Nigeria is the continent that can help change the African narrative for the better,  with a population of over 200milion people Nigeria can lead the pack if she so wishes.

“We have to come up with regulations that will spur innovation not just in Nigeria but across the continent.  The continent is not growing from the manpower perspective because we do not have a well structured education system”.

Chimhanda however called for all Africans to have all hands on deck to move the continent forward in in terms of technological advancement and not wait for the West To Help determine our narrative.