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<p>Navigating challenges and opportunities in Africa&#8217;s evolving digital landscape. This episode of Doing Business in Rwanda delves into leveraging digital technologies for sustainable development and social inclusion.</p>


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Exploring Rwanda’s Digital Transformation

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<p>Investing in SMEs means investing for impact. The challenges that SMEs need to overcome to fully transform digitally are easier with the help of big firms. This Corporate Access explores the role private sector plays to get small businesses to technological support they need to grow.</p>


Corporate Access: Driving Change for Financial & Social Impact

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<p>Artificial intelligence and machine learning are fast becoming the most in-demand sectors for growth and job creation. How is Africa leapfrogging over this digital disruption? And what can be done to accelerate the expansion of digital connectivity and innovation? Join CNBC Africa as a team of industry leaders gathers to break down Africa’s achievements in this space and what is practically needed to ensure no African is left behind.</p>


Digital Transformation: Leaving no African behind

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<p>On a global scale small and medium businesses are a central economic and social for job creation and economic growth. Accounting for 90 per cent of businesses and 50 per cent of gross domestic GDP, still face many challenges like financial inclusion, digital transformation and access to technology. This Corporate Access explores the Visa Impact Series.</p>


Corporate Access: Digital Transformation Progress on SMEs


<p>While South Africa’s airline industry has seen dramatic consolidation over the past few years, the gap left by shuttered local airlines has opened the doors for other carriers to meet the growing demand for seats as the country returns to pre-Covid travel. However, this increasingly competitive landscape is placing significant pressure on airline leaders to optimise their operations and improve customer satisfaction.</p>



<p><a href="http://www.clickatell.com">Clickatell</a>, a CPaaS innovator and Chat Commerce leader, began work with South Africa&#8217;s favourite low-cost airline, FlySafair, in 2021, rolling out a <a href="https://www.clickatell.com/products/whatsapp/">WhatsApp</a> customer communication channel. The introduction of the chat platform has not only injected new efficiencies, but it has dramatically boosted customer satisfaction.</p>



<p>“As an airline obsessed with efficiency and maintaining our reputation for being the most on-time carrier, we are always looking for new ways to improve the customer journey and internal processes to ensure superior customer experiences. So when Clickatell approached us about their Chat Commerce Platform, we knew we had to jump at the opportunity,” explains Eswee Vorster, FlySafair Executive Manager and CIO.</p>



<p>Clickatell’s Chat Commerce platform has enabled FlySafair to expand their customer service offering to the popular WhatsApp channel which is <a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/291540/mobile-internet-user-whatsapp/">used by</a> 96% of South Africa’s digital population.</p>



<p>“Today’s consumers want the flexibility and convenience of engaging with the brands they love and trust on the channels that they use every day. WhatsApp is the logical channel for us to reach our South African customers,” Vorster says.</p>



<p>His views are supported by <a href="https://www.clickatell.com/infographic/chat-commerce/trends-report-the-future-of-digital-commerce/">research</a> conducted by Clickatell which shows that 89% of consumers want to conduct business on chat channels.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-digital-solutions-that-make-life-easier"><strong>Digital solutions that make life easier</strong></h2>



<p>Like every airline, managing a busy call centre had been one of the biggest challenges for FlySafair. But, with more and more customers preferring to use digital channels to answer queries and solve their own problems, Vorster and his team were on the lookout for a solution that could help them deliver.</p>



<p>The airline’s busy call centre receives several thousand calls during a normal day, which can triple or even quadruple during promotions. Reducing the pressure on agents, as well as empowering customers to find answers to their queries and manage their bookings themselves, was an obvious priority for airline management.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Clickatell’s digital contact centre solution<em>, </em><a href="https://www.clickatell.com/products/chat-desk/">Chat Desk</a>, which allows organisations to run and manage live agent support in chat, enable FlySafair to resolve customer queries faster, eliminate hold times, and taking the frustration and inconvenience out of the customer service experience.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Clickatell’s Chat Commerce workflow builder and automation tool, <a href="https://www.clickatell.com/products/chatflow/">Chat Flow</a> allows FlySafair teams to design intelligent self-service engagements for their customers.</p>



<p>The Clickatell solution makes it possible for FlySafair customers to find helpful information or connect with a customer service agent by simply sending “Hi” on <a href="https://wa.me/27873570030"><strong>WhatsApp</strong></a>&nbsp;to&nbsp;+27 87 357 0030.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>A better experience from start to finish</strong></h2>



<p>FlySafair has invested significant time assessing how it can improve its offering across the digital journey, especially when it comes to busy holiday periods.</p>



<p>The FlySafair WhatsApp channel hosts key information about flight cancellations and changes, luggage restrictions, identity requirements, Covid-19 safety requirements, as well as the option to chat to a live agent. In addition, customers can also choose to receive their boarding pass on WhatsApp, significantly improving and streamlining the passenger experience.</p>



<p>Providing answers to frequently asked questions, self-serve options including boarding passes on WhatsApp reduces queues and improves the overall travel experience.</p>



<p>“Our customers can efficiently manage their travel experience in chat. From accessing helpful information, receiving their boarding passes, check-in via WhatsApp, and can even request a call back from a call centre agent if they need in-person support. As our <a href="https://www.clickatell.com/enterprise-solutions/chat-commerce/">Chat Commerce</a> Partner, Clickatell enables us to offer customer service more effectively and efficiently through WhatsApp,” Vorster says.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>The Clickatell implementation forms a key part of FlySafair’s digital future.&nbsp;</strong></h2>



<p>“Constant technical innovation has enabled low-cost airlines to make their mark and truly compete with the established carriers. We see chat technology as a game changer for us going forward. Not only does it perform the basics very well, but it allows us to better understand travellers, taking us a step closer to a single view of our customer,” Vorster explains.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Reflecting on the partnership, Vorster says the companies’ comparable cultures have laid the foundations for an exciting future.</p>



<p>“I love the hands-on approach of the Clickatell team and their agile mindset fits perfectly with our culture of moving on opportunities when we see them. Clickatell helped us to completely transform our customer’s digital experience. Our goal is to offer all the functionality currently available on our website on WhatsApp,” Vorster shares.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Chat Commerce offers exciting use cases for the airline industry</strong></h2>



<p>Chat Commerce solutions are quickly gaining traction with companies across many sectors, helped in part by its scalability and rapid deployment capabilities.</p>



<p>Enterprises are able to launch a Chat Commerce solution in as little as two months with minimal disruption. This means companies can get started immediately and then refine their offering over time, making it perfect for airlines who cannot afford a single minute of downtime.</p>



<p>What’s more, the competitive nature of the airline industry lends itself perfectly to the many use cases of Chat Commerce and supporting automation, not least of all, the ability to upsell services.</p>



<p>Upselling over a known and trusted chat channel, like WhatsApp, is as simple as a quick text message. Once bookings are confirmed, travel agents and airlines can offer seat upgrades and even suggest places to stay at specific destinations, complete with special offers and promotions that passengers can take advantage of right then and there. In addition, by using payment links consumers can complete a travel related purchase within their favourite messaging channels.</p>



<p>Making payments over chat has already been warmly welcomed by travellers. Clickatell’s latest <a href="https://www.clickatell.com/press-center/travelers-embrace-mobile-messaging-and-payments/">Chat Commerce Trends Report: Travel Edition 2022</a>, found that 71% of consumers indicated that they are more willing to make a purchase with a travel company through a payment link only after chatting with a live agent or automated bot. By implementing a robust Chat Commerce solution, FlySafair has laid the groundwork for any number of future digital offerings. And, by choosing to work with <a href="https://www.clickatell.com/solutions/travel/">Clickatell</a>, they can rest assured that they can stay ahead of the competition without their passengers experiencing any unnecessary delays or cancellations.&nbsp;</p>



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FlySafair Works With Clickatell to Expand Its Customer Service Offering on WhatsApp


<p><strong>05 September 2022</strong> &#8211; The 2022 Government Technology (GovTech) conference will see representatives and ministers from various countries in Africa converge in South Africa to share their vision, knowledge, experience and expertise on digitisation, digitalisation, and other topics critical for the acceleration of digital transformation and service delivery in Africa. <strong></strong></p>



<p>Under this year’s theme: “<strong>Digitisation and Digitalisation &#8211; Evolving Government Services</strong>,” the State Information Technology Agency (SITA), in partnership with the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies, will host GovTech conference from 13 – 15 September 2022 at the Durban Exhibition Centre.</p>



<p>The conference will be attended by more than 2500 delegates, bringing together Africa’s ICT experts from the public and private sectors, as well as the Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises&nbsp;(SMME) sector to focus among other things, on ICT infrastructure development and how technology can enable efficient dispensing of government services.</p>



<p>Structured in various tracks and topics, the conference program will provide options to delegates to participate in various streams and contribute towards reshaping the ICT agenda in Africa.</p>



<p>The panel and roundtable discussions, promise to be exciting as it includes these areas:</p>



<ul><li>An Enabling Policy Environment for Sustainable Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises;</li><li>Future of Education: How Technology is shaping this key sector for economic and social development;</li><li>Digital Inclusion: What will it take to get every citizen and every government service online;</li><li>The Digital Infrastructure: Collaboration for an African backhaul and data centres infrastructure ecosystem: Key Technologies to Enable African Governments&#8217; Digital Transformation;</li><li>Leveraging the Potential of Digitalisation &amp; Disruptive Technologies for improving government services;</li><li>Technologies for improving government services;</li><li>Sustainable Smart Villages and Cities in Africa;</li><li>Infrastructure and Digital Inclusion;</li><li>Youth in Information Communication Technology;</li><li>“Cyber Security and Protection of the Customers and Citizens and</li><li>“How African States Can Improve Their Cybersecurity &#8211; Policy tools for African governments.”</li></ul>



<p></p>



<p>Several private and public sector experts have been invited. Some of the ministers invited include, Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga and Zambia’s Minister of Science &amp; Technology, Felix Mutati.</p>



<p>The event is supported by Microsoft SA as a lead sponsor. Huawei, Sentech, MTN, Vodacom and In2ITfollow as key sponsors.</p>



<p>GovTech, which has been held for 14 years, is the brainchild of <em>SITA.</em> Over the years, the conference, has evolved to become a premiere conference, as a superior networking platform, a hub of strategic ideas and a crucible that pioneers innovative thinking and solutions, to address the developmental and growth challenges in the country.</p>



<p>Molatlhegi Kgauwe,&nbsp;the Acting Managing Director for SITA said through innovation and SMME development,digital technologies open up new avenues for economic prosperity, innovation, job creation, and service access and the more SMMEs are exposed to these infrastructures, the wider the net of opportunities is cast.</p>



<p>“Besides people, infrastructure is the bedrock and the backbone of a country. The synergy between infrastructure development and information technology is critical to enable rapid progress, to leverage opportunities, and to provide solutions to the country and nation’s most pressing challenges.”</p>



<p>As the digital world grows bigger, through cybersecurity, thegovernments have to ensure that citizens can conduct business, communicate, and interact in a safe, agile, flexible and secure environment.</p>



<p>“Ultimately the aim is digital Inclusion and collaboration to enable the continent – wide connectivity and solutions, and to provide skills and service delivery to all so that Africa and indeed South Africa is positioned as a leader of service delivery; in the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” said Kgauwe,&nbsp;</p>



<p>To register for the conference, delegates can visit <a href="http://www.govtech.gov.za">www.govtech.gov.za</a>. Attendees and members of the public across the continent can follow Govtech 2022 by using the hashtags<a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/govtech2022?__eep__=6&amp;__cft__%5b0%5d=AZVDhKhLI4-87zdPH3oU-gSG8Snrj2V93UjKMhd-O6T3rbNBGc4-3X71tzpEhC6V1UAw1h7_7CZrF5QRuLWDXmLhNomJ49BcV4PjbWQXXZCi3udEcT2PRi_Ad35CxvRHsX20tVI5KFDL2Por5YCUW5atn9bUKGqVfCI6KHdR034gGw&amp;__tn__=*NK-R">#GovTech2022</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/techevent?__eep__=6&amp;__cft__%5b0%5d=AZVDhKhLI4-87zdPH3oU-gSG8Snrj2V93UjKMhd-O6T3rbNBGc4-3X71tzpEhC6V1UAw1h7_7CZrF5QRuLWDXmLhNomJ49BcV4PjbWQXXZCi3udEcT2PRi_Ad35CxvRHsX20tVI5KFDL2Por5YCUW5atn9bUKGqVfCI6KHdR034gGw&amp;__tn__=*NK-R">#TechEvent</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/digitaltransformation?__eep__=6&amp;__cft__%5b0%5d=AZVDhKhLI4-87zdPH3oU-gSG8Snrj2V93UjKMhd-O6T3rbNBGc4-3X71tzpEhC6V1UAw1h7_7CZrF5QRuLWDXmLhNomJ49BcV4PjbWQXXZCi3udEcT2PRi_Ad35CxvRHsX20tVI5KFDL2Por5YCUW5atn9bUKGqVfCI6KHdR034gGw&amp;__tn__=*NK-R">#DigitalTransformation</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/techinafrica?__eep__=6&amp;__cft__%5b0%5d=AZVDhKhLI4-87zdPH3oU-gSG8Snrj2V93UjKMhd-O6T3rbNBGc4-3X71tzpEhC6V1UAw1h7_7CZrF5QRuLWDXmLhNomJ49BcV4PjbWQXXZCi3udEcT2PRi_Ad35CxvRHsX20tVI5KFDL2Por5YCUW5atn9bUKGqVfCI6KHdR034gGw&amp;__tn__=*NK-R">#TechInAfrica</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/4ir?__eep__=6&amp;__cft__%5b0%5d=AZVDhKhLI4-87zdPH3oU-gSG8Snrj2V93UjKMhd-O6T3rbNBGc4-3X71tzpEhC6V1UAw1h7_7CZrF5QRuLWDXmLhNomJ49BcV4PjbWQXXZCi3udEcT2PRi_Ad35CxvRHsX20tVI5KFDL2Por5YCUW5atn9bUKGqVfCI6KHdR034gGw&amp;__tn__=*NK-R">#4IR</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/ai?__eep__=6&amp;__cft__%5b0%5d=AZVDhKhLI4-87zdPH3oU-gSG8Snrj2V93UjKMhd-O6T3rbNBGc4-3X71tzpEhC6V1UAw1h7_7CZrF5QRuLWDXmLhNomJ49BcV4PjbWQXXZCi3udEcT2PRi_Ad35CxvRHsX20tVI5KFDL2Por5YCUW5atn9bUKGqVfCI6KHdR034gGw&amp;__tn__=*NK-R">#AI</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/hyperautomation?__eep__=6&amp;__cft__%5b0%5d=AZVDhKhLI4-87zdPH3oU-gSG8Snrj2V93UjKMhd-O6T3rbNBGc4-3X71tzpEhC6V1UAw1h7_7CZrF5QRuLWDXmLhNomJ49BcV4PjbWQXXZCi3udEcT2PRi_Ad35CxvRHsX20tVI5KFDL2Por5YCUW5atn9bUKGqVfCI6KHdR034gGw&amp;__tn__=*NK-R">#Hyperautomation</a> and&nbsp; <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/quantumcomputing?__eep__=6&amp;__cft__%5b0%5d=AZVDhKhLI4-87zdPH3oU-gSG8Snrj2V93UjKMhd-O6T3rbNBGc4-3X71tzpEhC6V1UAw1h7_7CZrF5QRuLWDXmLhNomJ49BcV4PjbWQXXZCi3udEcT2PRi_Ad35CxvRHsX20tVI5KFDL2Por5YCUW5atn9bUKGqVfCI6KHdR034gGw&amp;__tn__=*NK-R">#QuantumComputing</a>.</p>



<p><strong>For more information contact:</strong></p>



<p>Head of Corporate Affairs: Tlali Tlali (Mr)<br>Tel: (012) 482-2996<br>Cell: 082 3333 880<br>Email: <a href="mailto:Tlali.Tlali@sita.co.za">Tlali.Tlali@sita.co.za</a></p>



<p></p>


Continent

GOVTECH 2022 BRINGS AFRICA’S ICT MINISTERS AND EXPERTS TO TACKLE DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION ON THE CONTINENT

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<p>Cyber threats and cyber criminals remain active in Africa just like elsewhere across the world as companies prioritise digital transformation in their growth agenda. Now researchers warn of increased cyber targets. David Emm, Principal Security Researcher at Kaspersky spoke to CNBC Africa’s Julius Bizimungu for more.</p>


Assessing Africa’s cyber threat landscape

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<p>The Covid-19 pandemic has led to an uptick in digitalization across the globe. For Africa there has also been an increase in data-enabled businesses. Pierre Havenga, Managing Director for Middle East and Africa at Vertiv says they expect the pandemic-motivated investment in IT infrastructure to continue to expand. He joins CNBC Africa to explore some trends that will drive further digital transformation, especially for small businesses.</p>


How the pandemic is accelerating investment in IT infrastructure

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<p>Digital Economy Advocate, Lanre Osibona says the silver lining of the COVID-19 in terms of digital transformation is the fast-tracking of the adoption rate of digital tools.</p>


How the digital economy can work for Nigerians

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<p>Covid-19 has accelerated the need for digital transformation, to build inclusive economic growth in Africa. Technology is also set to play a big role on trade across the continent, with the implementation of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area. Naspers South Africa CEO, Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa joins CNBC Africa for more.</p>


Naspers SA CEO: Why digital transformation is key to driving inclusive growth in Africa

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<p>The COVID-19 crisis has strengthened the role of digitalisation in contributing to Africa’s productive transformation and in fulfilling Agenda 2063, the African Union’s vision for the continent’s development. That’s according to the OECD Development Centre in a joint report with the African Union&#8217;s Commission for Economic Affairs. The OECD notes that the digital transformation is expanding to almost all economic sectors in Africa. So how can Africa take advantage of this digital transformation to jumpstart its post-COVID-19 recovery? Mario Pezzini, Director of the OECD Development Centre joins CNBC Africa for more.</p>


Here’s how digital transformation is shaping Africa’s development agenda

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<p>The COVID-19 crisis has accelerated the use of technologies and digital transformation in businesses. According to research conducted by Vodafone, 71 per cent of firms have made at least one new technology investment in direct response to the pandemic. Joining CNBC Africa to unpack more on the adoption of digital technology is William Mzimba, Chief Officer for Vodacom Business.</p>


How COVID-19 has fast tracked the use of technologies & digital transformation in businesses

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Africa is striving to accelerate digital transformation and is deploying infrastructure to meet this ambition. However, there seems to be little to no awareness on the threat the environment is facing from digital advances. Author of World Wide Waste, Gerry McGovern joins CNBC Africa for more.</p>


World Wide Waste on how to achieve digital growth in environmentally friendly ways

By <span><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rachel-adams-790073">Rachel Adams</a>, <em><a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/human-sciences-research-council-2144">Human Sciences Research Council</a></em></span>

<p>The Fourth Industrial Revolution is, ostensibly, upon us. The <a href="https://www.weforum.org/about/the-fourth-industrial-revolution-by-klaus-schwab">term was coined</a> in 2016 by Klaus Schwab, the founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Form. </p>

<p>Broadly, it refers to the collapsing of boundaries between the physical, digital and biological spheres. More specifically, it’s about the digitalisation of all kinds of systems and processes. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is at the forefront of this reality. This involves systems that, as the <a href="https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/en/news/definition-artificial-intelligence-main-capabilities-and-scientific-disciplines">European Commission puts it</a>, “display intelligent behaviour by analysing their environment and taking actions … to achieve specific goals”. </p>

<p>AI is used today in everything from face and speech recognition technologies to image analysis software. It’s also a cornerstone of self-driving cars and advanced robotics.</p>

<p>Part of this “revolution’s” promise is that AI and similar technologies <a href="https://www.dst.gov.za/images/2019/White_paper_web_copyv1.pdf">will be used</a> to drive economic growth, development and positive societal change. But critical inquiry is urgently needed to gauge what effects the fourth industrial revolution is having and will have on vulnerable, marginalised populations.</p>

<p>In South Africa, there has been some discussion around the <a href="https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/opinion/2019-07-04-4ir-in-sa-is-too-important-to-remain-the-domain-of-the-elite/">elitist discourse</a> in which conversations about the fourth industrial revolution are happening. Some have pointed out the need to ensure that policy linked to these changes address all stakeholders’ needs. Others have explored its potential effects <a href="https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2019-07-04-4ir-the-good-the-bad-and-the-inequality-gap/">on inequality in the country’s job market</a>. But there has been little discussion around how women specifically may be affected.</p>

<p>This is a worrying oversight. The world of the fourth industrial revolution looks set to be one dominated by forms of knowledge and industries – like science and technology – that have long been <a href="https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3281807">dominated by men</a>.</p>

<p>In addition, many of the opportunities the fourth industrial revolution is thought to offer are internet based. Yet, as a <a href="https://www.apc.org/en/news/african-women-face-widening-technology-gap">recent study</a> has shown, women tend to have less access to internet based technologies than men do in Africa. This means that the impact on women’s lives and work opportunities becomes a critical concern. </p>

<h2>The future of women’s work</h2>

<p>The future of work has been one of the key discussion points in the context of new technologies and the fourth industrial revolution. </p>

<p>With the increase in automaton, those working in <a href="https://www.oxfordmartin.ox.ac.uk/downloads/academic/The_Future_of_Employment.pdf">“routine intensive occupations”</a> – such as secretarial or call centre work – are considered likely to be replaced in the workplace by computers, which are thought to be more efficient and less costly. Robots are being prepped to replace <a href="https://emerj.com/ai-sector-overviews/applications-of-ai-in-elderly-care-robotics/">care-worker jobs</a>. These types of professions, along with others that are particularly vulnerable to being replaced by robotics or computers, are <a href="https://ssir.org/articles/entry/women_and_the_future_of_work#">generally occupied by women</a>.</p>

<p>In South Africa, where the <a href="http://www.statssa.gov.za/?p=11375">labour market is already more favourable to men than women</a>, this presents a serious concern. </p>

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  <em>
    <strong>
      Read more:
      <a href="http://theconversation.com/south-africans-are-upbeat-about-new-technologies-but-worried-about-jobs-120358">South Africans are upbeat about new technologies, but worried about jobs</a>
    </strong>
  </em>
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<p>There are other reasons to worry. The gender <a href="https://www.apc.org/en/news/african-women-face-widening-technology-gap">digital gap</a> in South Africa, and on the African continent more broadly, is only widening, with women having lower digital literacy, less access to internet based technologies, and less relevant online content to men. This suggests that women may be left out of increasingly digital work opportunities too.  </p>

<p>In addition, due to the burden of care and domestic duties women tend to carry on top of paid work, women <a href="http://globaldialogue.isa-sociology.org/emotional-labor-around-the-world-an-interview-with-arlie-hochschild/">have significantly</a> less time than men to undertake further education and training. That means they won’t easily be able to boost their digital skills.</p>

<p>These realities reveal some of the gaps in South Africa’s existing policy objectives around the fourth industrial revolution. For instance, the country’s <a href="https://www.dst.gov.za/images/2019/White_paper_web_copyv1.pdf">White Paper on Science, Technology and Innovation</a> is to provide information and communications technology training at all levels. But given the problems I’ve outlined, women are less likely than men to benefit from this.</p>

<p>So what can the country do differently?</p>

<h2>Lessons and research</h2>

<p>For starters, it could learn from other countries. In Ghana, an initiative called <a href="http://www.stembees.org/about-us/">STEMbees</a> not only promotes science, technology, engineering and maths training for women and girls; it also addresses social issues such as digital safety. There could be lessons here for South Africa.</p>

<p>The country should also consider how technology can be used to empower and help women rather than shutting them out. There are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/careers/2017/mar/20/meet-the-women-using-tech-to-combat-sexual-assault">many examples</a> of this globally. </p>

<p>Along with this learning, South Africa needs to thoroughly research and understand the effects of the fourth industrial revolution on women and the barriers – whether educational, social or technological – to accessing and utilising internet based resources. </p>

<p>Policy responses to promoting women in STEM need to holistically address both the lack of women in STEM fields as well as the structural factors that have led to this situation.<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/121216/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important" /></p>

<p><span><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rachel-adams-790073">Rachel Adams</a>, Research Specialist, <em><a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/human-sciences-research-council-2144">Human Sciences Research Council</a></em></span></p>

<p>This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-fourth-industrial-revolution-risks-leaving-women-behind-121216">original article</a>.</p>

Will the Fourth Industrial Revolution leave women behind ?

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<p>At the on-going India-Africa Information and Communications Technology (ICT) expo taking place in Kigali. To discuss what Africa can do to achieve digital transformation aspirations – Sanjay Nayak, CEO and managing Director of Tejas Networks joins CNBC Africa for more.</p>


Developing a digital economy: What can Africa learn from India?

<p>By Sabine Dall’Omo, CEO for Siemens Southern and Eastern Africa</p>
<p>The value of data coupled with connected infrastructure and industrial ecosystems offers Africa a remarkable opportunity to create smart factories of the future. Data will be at the heart of reinvigorating Africa’s industrial prowess, creating new industries and an entirely new set of jobs that previously did not exist.</p>
<p>Historically, Africa’s growth has been defined by its abundance in natural and mineral resources but digitalization will change this. It will tip the scales of Africa’s economic outlook more towards exports emanating from the manufacturing sector, with the textile vertical being the prime example. Developing factories of the future will boost Africa’s GDP and catapult its international competitiveness by merging both the physical and virtual worlds. The future will now be defined by how Africa harnesses its manufacturing potential and how it moves the industrial revolution forward.</p>
<p>The continent’s unique identity and extraordinary sense of creativity could be what puts us on the global map. The Afro-inspired design revolution taking shape is an opportunity to take our ingenuity to the world, and with skills development the continent will see a new industry emerge. The combination of smart hardware and intelligent software could help position Johannesburg, Nairobi or Lagos as the next design capital of the world.</p>
<p>The Siemens FABRIC showcase, launched at the end of August, is a testament to the talent Africa holds. Told through the universal language of fashion, FABRIC was a powerful project that demonstrated how data combined with technology could transform African cities. Three iconic African fashion designers (John Kaveke, Zizi Cardow and Palesa Mokubung) created one-of-kind outfits weaving in data extracted from these three African cities to tell a unique story about each of them. These are the kind of edgy collections that have gained the attention and admiration of the international fashion community, taking all three designers to renowned fashion shows across the world. But despite recognition on the global catwalk, the economic output from the apparel industry in Africa has not been grand in the last few years. However through digitalization, Africa’s dynamic fashion sense could become a global hit.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Urbanization</strong></p>
<p>As urbanization rapidly increases, so too does the demand in products and services. In the last few years, manufacturers have had to shorten throughput times to keep up with the increasing trend of individualised mass production and at the same time reduce their energy and raw material consumption. Now is the time for manufacturers to relook at rising production costs and determine how to safeguard their competitiveness.</p>
<p>As connectivity changes the world and how we communicate, the manufacturing industry will also need to adapt. Transforming into factories of the future will be a smart step because intelligent machines will effectively respond to changing market and customer needs, and enable manufacturers to pick up on inefficiencies quickly. The industrial internet of things (IIOT) will be the foundation of production, ensuring machine to machine communication and automation while real-time data boosts productivity and revenue. Digitalization will transform workforces and contribute to the entire value chain while ensuring safe, reliable operations.</p>
<p>According to a Frost &amp; Sullivan White Paper by the Manufacturing Leadership Council, the manufacturing industry will look completely different in the next 10 to 15 years as industries become high-tech engines of mass customization.</p>
<p>“Highly automated and information-intensive, the factory of tomorrow will look like an integrated hardware and software system…fuelled by vast quantities of information from every corner of the enterprise and beyond, moderated by analytical systems that can identify and extract insights and opportunities from that information, and comprise of intelligent machines that learn, act, and work alongside highly skilled human beings.”</p>
<p>Through research and insights, Siemens acknowledges the vast potential and possibilities for Africa’s future through manufacturing and has already been hard at work creating technologies for smart factories. It has created flexible, modular, economic automation and drive solutions to help industries transform easily. Its single-source solution maximises production and minimises downtime and has the capability to cover all facets of a textile plant from the production of chemical fibres and yarn to spinning, fabric manufacturing and finishing. It’s cost-effectiveness in configuration and commissioning makes it a manufacturer’s dream. Industrialisation will additionally bridge the gap between blue and white collar workers creating an upskilled workforce termed ‘grey-collar’ workers. This dynamic and developed staff contingent will be able to execute their duties with ease in the digital economy, alongside machines.</p>
<p>This transformation will push the continent onto another level that amplifies GDP, while creating a smarter Africa for all. The role of data architecture in this metamorphosis cannot be magnified enough, and with the exponential value of industrialization, Africa’s development could be fast tracked to tip the scales of its economic potential. The only element left will be active collaboration between government, regulators, business and society.</p>


OpEd: How to transform Africa’s manufacturing industry through data

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<p>CNBC Africa is joined by South African born Darren Roos who has recently been appointed as CEO of IFS.  The company’s main focus is to assist clients with seamless integration of digital transformation into their business model.</p>


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