Connecting across Africa(2)

Two Africans try a visual phone at a recent exhibition in Rwanda. Li Lianxing / China Daily

"China has played a key role in facilitating the growth of ICT in Africa. Huawei and ZTE are doing a good job in Africa," he says, adding that many African nations have made good ICT progress by teaming up with Chinese companies.

"ICT has played a big role in societal changes, especially in sectors such as health, education and agriculture," Rugege says. "It is now possible for African farmers to use ICT — in this case, a phone — to gauge the prices in various markets and decide on the best option."

To further enhance the role of ICT in Africa, efforts are underway to improve the quality of related infrastructure such as marine cables, digital microwaves, mobile phones and visual phones, he says.

The greater focus on ICT in Africa will also prove attractive to Chinese companies that are planning global expansion, he says.

Building a complete and efficient infrastructure network is the best way to realize Africa's ICT goals, says Steven Ambitho, manager of Star Times Media (Kenya) Ltd, a unit of Chinese digital pay-TV firm Star Times Media, which focuses on bringing digital television technologies from China to Africa.

"The digital media industry is still in the preliminary stages of development in Africa," Ambitho says. "More efforts are required for future development because the existing coverage and transmitter stations are still not adequate for future requirements."

Ambitho says that the number of transmitter stations owned by Kenyan television stations is woefully inadequate.

"The biggest TV station in Kenya has just 70 transmitter stations, while the second-largest has 20. What this means is low efficiency and the inability of the national network to reach all people," he says.

"Although we were late entrants, we have already established 20 stations in a year and we are in the process of building a pan-African digital TV platform for small TV stations.

"For instance, with the successful construction of a related infrastructure network, audiences in Malindi in eastern Kenya can now receive more than 75 channels compared with just two or three before."

Although Africa is a continent with huge business potential, it is important for companies to have an infrastructure network that benefits all, Ambitho says.

"We are helping the Kenyan government shift from analog to digital transmission as per the ITU requirements of an efficient and clearer network for the people."

Talent drive

Robert Morris, vice-president of IBM's Shanghai-based global laboratory, says the abundant pool of young talent in Africa makes it an irresistible ICT destination .

He says strong linkages can be forged in Africa if one finds the right direction at the right time. He adds that companies such as IBM have already started using their experience in markets including China to good use in Africa.

"Energy is one of the biggest problems for Africa because most of it is wasted. Our learnings, especially from China, have helped us join hands with African nations on energy conservation measures."

Chinese companies must move away from the safety of the domestic market and concentrate on emerging markets such as Africa, Morris says. Africa is an excellent destination for Chinese companies to showcase their products and technologies, he adds.

While it is difficult to gauge the advantages of Chinese technologies compared with Western ones, affordability is certainly an important factor that can help Chinese companies succeed in Africa, Rugege from the ITU says.

"Technologies may be doing the same things, but people tend to choose the most affordable one. Affordable technology is not just the amount of money paid upfront, but rather the sustainability of the technology and the terms of payment. This is where China has an edge over others," he says, adding that sustainability comes from the partnership of the two sides in technology transfer and education.