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IoT can provide Africa with a connected future – Part Two

The greatest importance for IoT within Africa as a whole is to provide critical information to its users, enabling them to make informed decisions and in a lot of cases save lives, writes Stephen Stewart, the regional director for Africa at Eseye, in the second part of his blog exploring IoT deployment in Africa.

This is where the value in IoT comes from and why people are investing in these solutions. In the western world IoT technology, while still providing incredible initiatives, has an altogether different type of value. While people are strapping GPS trackers and heart rate monitors to themselves to help with their fitness, many in Africa are relying on this technology to provide food for their families.

The future for IoT
Africa, like Europe, faces a wide range of hurdle which must be overcome in order to realise the benefits that can come from mass adoption of IoT

For example, the vast majority of external funding going into Africa is placed into vital utilities. Water, power and healthcare are areas which generate a lot of interest, due to the lack of them.

Another potential stumbling block for the widespread adoption of IoT is government hesitation. African governments are aware of IoT and the benefits it can bring, but approach the subject with a degree of trepidation, due to the financial outlay which often has to be made. However, the pressure points for IoT in Africa are the same as the government’s concerns.

The key challenge which must be addressed in order for IoT to succeed in benefiting the masses is establishing a reliable source of power. The power supply in Africa is inconsistent and of low quality. Overcoming the issue of power is therefore essential, reliable and consistent power sources led by universal metering and solar installations will be what moves Africa forward as a continent. The availability and reliability of power has proven to be vital all over the world, when this becomes common place in Africa, it will kick start a lot of other activity. Without a continuous and reliable source of power the continent will struggle. Address the problem and lives will change.

Ultimately it is down to Africa to embrace IoT, businesses which do will reap the rewards it brings and gain a significant edge over competitors and become pioneers in their region. As the awareness grows, so will IoT, and we can expect it to play a huge role in the further development of the continent for years to come.