When thinking about the African continent, it is not always common to think about innovation. This is an error. First, because of the traditional aspects and diversity of the continent, which have always been conducive to experimentation and creativity.
Recently, also because of the enormous vitality pointing to technological and social innovations on the continent. It is not by chance that there is more and more talk of Afrofuturism or Wakanda.
Mozambique can easily illustrate these concepts. The country’s history is full of challenges. To begin with, it only became independent in 1975. Shortly after independence, it plunged into a civil war, which ended only in 1992.
The war destroyed more than 1,000 schools across the country, as well as ravaging resources and infrastructure, including flora and fauna. Even Mozambique’s elephants are especially aggressive, traumatized by the conflict.
However, the country today is in the midst of regaining lost time. It is a demographically young country that has produced inspiring initiatives.
For example, there is an ecosystem of innovation and creativity going on. Starting with the issue of digital payments. For over ten years it has been possible to transfer money via cell phone, without needing a bank account. More than that, it is possible to withdraw money at ATMs without using a card, just with text messages. Or, pay any purchase with your cell phone, also without a card.
While Pix in Brazil has little time, Mozambique has had a digital payment system for much longer and with more features than those implemented so far by Pix.
In addition, there is a growing startup scene. For example, Biscate.com. It is a website and mobile application (also accessible via text messages) that allows the country’s 14 million informal workers to find casual work.
In Mozambique there are about 1 million formal jobs, insufficient to occupy the workforce. After the initial success, Biscate is now investing in organizing more complex production chains: connecting workers with different skills, creating stronger links between demand and supply.
The cultural industry is also advancing. The X-Hub, for example, is an initiative that allows musicians, audiovisual producers and other creative professionals to leverage their work, including internationally.
They work with training, internationalization (they translate everything from the artist into Portuguese, English and French). They offer recording studio and video production. And they create a network capable of professionalizing local production.
As I always like to remember, culture is the gateway to the knowledge economy. And X-Hub bets on exactly that.
Further north in the country, Gorongosa National Park has created a master’s program open to researchers from all over the world. It is a rare combination of a national park, with research and a social program to support the surrounding communities. I even participated in the marathon promoted by the park with neighboring communities, with 2,500 participants.
While running with maximum effort, I was easily passed by a local runner who was running backwards. This served as a metaphor for me.
On the African continent there is a lot of creativity, daring and different ways of doing things. Even running backwards, with so many challenges, the horizon is increasingly one of overtaking.
It’s over Thinking that innovation only happens in Silicon Valley
Already Innovation on the African continent
It’s coming The 6th season of Expresso Futuro, which will show innovation on the African continent (debuts in October)
I have over 8 years of experience in the news industry. I have worked for various news websites and have also written for a few news agencies. I mostly cover healthcare news, but I am also interested in other topics such as politics, business, and entertainment. In my free time, I enjoy writing fiction and spending time with my family and friends.
