by Shukuru Amos
Digital transformation has become the new normal in every industry. The rate of technological progress accelerates year after year, bringing disruptive innovations and game-changing technologies such as virtual reality, VR, AR, artificial intelligence, AI, machine learning, and robots.
These changes are not just about using new tools to improve current services. They are about transforming businesses to make them better and more cost-effective in a new digital world.
Let’s look at how AI and robots are changing the world of work today and in the future.
What is Artificial Intelligence?
Artificial intelligence is a term that has been around since the 1950s. It is the concept of machines that can perform human tasks and complete them more efficiently than humans can. In other words, artificial intelligence is the idea of machines that act as if they are sentient.
They are able to analyze data, solve problems, and make decisions in a way that is indistinguishable from how humans would approach the same problem.
AI depends on machine learning, which is a subfield of computer science that uses algorithms to discover patterns in data and then build models based on those patterns. Machine learning is responsible for most of the AI technologies that we see in the world today.
Why Are Robots Becoming So Popular?
Artificial intelligence is boosting the use of robots worldwide, especially in manufacturing and logistics. For instance, an autonomous robot could be used to deliver your order in a warehouse, in a restaurant, or even at home. If you’re in manufacturing, you probably already use robots.
But if you have production lines that are highly automated, you may have already incorporated some AI technology into them. In many industries, robots are being used in place of human workers. It’s not because employers are heartless or intend to make people redundant but because AI and robots are simply more efficient.
Consider these examples: Retail: In a typical store, the flow of goods from different areas of the warehouse to the sales floor is a manual process. This includes the selection of products, packaging, and placement. If a store wants to try out new products or change the way things are displayed, it’s often a long, costly process. With AI and robots, the process could be automated, streamlined, and much more efficient.
Healthcare: This sector is responsible for a significant portion of the world’s medical expenses. AI and robots can improve patient outcomes and reduce costs. They can perform medical procedures that were once only done by humans.
Will AI and Robots Make You Unemployed?
Artificial intelligence and robots are being developed to work in combination with humans, not replace them. So we won’t see a time when these technologies rule the world and humans have no place in it.
The reality is that AI and robots are more likely to create jobs than reduce employment. They are going to be used to perform tedious tasks like data entry and predictable physical tasks like lifting and moving objects in a factory.
There is a risk that AI could make people more redundant. However, the number of jobs created by AI will exceed the number that is lost. With the number of AI startups growing, it’s likely that we’ll see some of these companies go global and employ many people.
The Existing Jobs That May Disappear Due to AI and Robots
Some jobs that may disappear due to AI and robots include:
Data Entry: American data entry workers are often paid less than $15 an hour. That’s less than the minimum wage in some states. As AI becomes more advanced and capable, it’s likely that your company will switch to automated processes. This could mean no more duplicate data entry or human transcription.
Translation and Language Interpretation: The translation of text, speech, and languages is a $100 billion market. This could be transformed by AI and end human translation.
Trucking: Self-driving vehicles are expected to be on our roads in the next five to 10 years. They will change the way we gain freight, move goods, and transport passengers. It’s likely that many truck drivers will lose their jobs.
Service Call Jobs: Customers have been able to get immediate service via apps and chatbots. This has led to a reduction in service call jobs in many industries, including retail, travel, and telecommunications.
The New Jobs That Will be Created by AI and Robots
According to the World Economic Forum, the jobs that will be created by AI and robots include:
Data scientists: Data scientists are needed to analyze the data collected by robots. – Ethical and social engineers: They need to create algorithms that make AI and robots work for society in a socially appropriate way.
Cybersecurity experts: AI and robots need to be protected against hacking. These experts will work to secure them against cyber threats.
Designers: Designers will be needed to create AI-powered products that are intuitive and easy to use.
Policymakers: Policymakers will be responsible for ensuring that AI and robots are used in a socially responsible way.
SUMMARY
Artificial intelligence and robots are transforming the way we work. They are being developed to work in combination with humans, not replace them. AI will create new jobs as well as eliminate others.
There is a risk that AI could make people more redundant. However, the number of jobs created by AI will exceed the number that is lost.
As technology continues to advance and become more complex, it’s important to keep in mind that it can be a great resource for improving productivity and efficiency—but only if it’s managed properly.
by Shukuru Amos
Africa is home to a growing number of freelancers who provide services online. These digital workers enable Africans to participate in the global gig economy, which is expected to grow in the coming years. As the gig economy grows, concerns remain about how it will impact African freelancers and their ability to compete with non- Africans.
These digital platforms have enabled more people globally to become freelancers and offer services online at a lower cost than traditional businesses. The number of African freelancers has grown as a result of these developments, especially among millennials in several countries.
However, there are many barriers that continue to limit opportunities for African freelancers. Let’s take a closer look at these issues and what can be done about them.
What is the gig economy?
A gig economy refers to the practice of individuals finding work through online platforms, with little or no commitment from the employer. The term “gig” refers to the short-term nature of many of these tasks, which can include anything from freelance writing to online coding.
According to a McKinsey Global Institute report, gig work is expected to grow globally as a result of several factors. These include an aging population, which will reduce the number of people working in the formal sector, as well as an increase in the number of women working.
Additionally, advancements in technology have made it easier for people to work remotely — including freelancers — and enabled them to earn more by serving a broader client base.
African freelancer demographics
Freelancers in Africa are a relatively young group, with 46% of them under 35 years old. Millennials represent a larger portion of the African freelancer demographic than any other generation. This is partly due to the fact that millennials are more likely to work in the digital economy and are comfortable with technology as well as with freelance work.
Freelancers in Africa earn an average of $8 an hour, with Liberians earning the highest average rate of $14 an hour and Nigerians earning the lowest average of $4 an hour. Freelancers in Africa hail from a wide range of occupation groups, including health and education professionals, professional and technical workers, and business and finance workers.
The majority of African freelancers work in the business and financial services industry, with a smaller number of freelancers working in the health and education industry.
Rising demand for digital services
The growing demand for digital services has made online freelancing platforms, such as UpWork and Freelancer.com, more attractive to Africans. In fact, Africans have been some of the most active users of these platforms.
As more Africans participate in these online platforms, they provide an opportunity for Africans to earn more and gain a foothold in an industry that has been historically off limits to them.
However, digital services face several challenges. Africans are not the only ones who want to participate in the digital economy. The gig economy has become a global phenomenon, with people from other regions migrating to Africa and competing with local digital services.
Concerns for African freelancers in the gig economy
The digital economy has created new challenges for freelancers in Africa as it has elsewhere. Many Africans have complained that they have to wait longer than non-African freelancers to secure a job on online platforms.
We have also heard from African freelancers that they feel they are asked to work for less than non-African freelancers. The growing presence of non-African freelancers on digital platforms has raised the question of whether Africans will be able to compete against them.
Freelancers in Africa tend to be younger and earn less than non-African freelancers, who may have more experience and a larger client base.
Conclusion
The gig economy has created opportunities for Africans to earn money and participate in the global marketplace. However, the growth of this industry has also raised concerns over how African freelancers will be able to compete with non-African freelancers.
In order to tackle these issues, African freelancers need to build networks, collaborate, and continue to innovate. They also need to be patient, as it may take some time before they are able to earn as much as they would like.
by Shukuru Amos
The health sector is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world, driven by rapid urbanization, an aging population, and a growing middle class.
In Africa, the number of people aged 60 or older is expected to double from 123 million today to 260 million by 2050. The continent also has some of the highest rates of chronic disease in the world.
In this article, we take a look at 10 African startups in the health sector that you should watch out for. These innovative start-ups are addressing various needs within the healthcare industry through technology and innovation, making them not only interesting case studies but also ventures that have the potential to have a massive impact on society as a whole.
O7 Therapy
O7 Therapy is a digital health startup that has developed a specialized protocol for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) patients. The protocol is designed to treat the root cause of the disease. It uses a combination of virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and targeted biophotonic light therapy to treat the root cause of the disease, unlike other treatment options that are only focused on symptom management.
O7 Therapy was founded by Dr. Paul Carter and Dr. Philip Lewis in 2017. They have offices in London and Johannesburg. The team at O7 consists of over 50 engineers, designers, and scientists. They are currently raising funds through their ICO.
mPharma
mPharma is a pharmaceutical e-commerce platform that connects patients with doctors and pharmacies in their vicinity. They aim to bridge the gap between patients in remote areas and local medical practitioners by providing them with a platform to order medical supplies and seek medical advice through a smartphone app.
The platform is designed with a simple user-interface and a language-translator that facilitates communication between the patient and the medical professional. mPharma was founded in 2016 by Marc-André Blanche, a German pharmacist, and Michel Euge, a Belgian entrepreneur. They have offices in Paris and Berlin. mPharma has raised $1.3 million in a seed round of financing led by Newfund and Sistema Biomedical Ventures.
MedAfrica
MedAfrica is an online medical store that sells a range of healthcare products in Africa, including diagnostic equipment, medical supplies and home healthcare products. These products are purchased from manufacturers around the world and are resold to customers in Africa at a lower cost.
MedAfrica was founded in 2015 by Andre J.A. Van Den Bosch, who is the CEO. The store is headquartered in The Netherlands and serves customers across Africa through a network of resellers in Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa and Ghana. The company has raised $3 million in equity financing from Fonds 1818 and the Dutch Investment Fund for Developing Countries (SIDCO).
Africa Health Holdings
Africa Health Holdings (AH) is a technology-enabled healthcare services provider that delivers healthcare services to Sub-Saharan Africa. AH offers services like telemedicine, e-consultation, remote patient monitoring, and e-commerce health products.
The company was founded in 2008 by Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe. AH has offices in Lagos, Abuja, London, and New York. The company has raised approximately $5 million in funding from companies such as Blue Shadow Ventures and the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation (IFC).
54gene
54gene is a DNA testing platform that helps users understand their DNA, genetic health risks, and ancestry. The platform was designed with an easily navigable user interface that provides users with their test results and useful health insights in a matter of minutes.
54gene was founded in 2018 by Dr. Charles van den Broeke and Max Nieuwland. The company has offices in Amsterdam and Rotterdam. 54gene has raised $1.1 million in equity financing from Dutch Investments Funds for Developing Countries (SIDCO) and private investors.
Ilara Health
Ilara Health is an online pharmacy that provides a wide range of medicines at an affordable price. The pharmacy carries both prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications and has partnered with many pharmaceutical companies to bring down the cost of medicines.
Ilara Health was founded in 2017 by Dr. Mohit Bhatia and has offices in Bangalore, India. Ilara Health has raised $10 million in equity financing from investors such as Reliance Capital, Endure Capital, and IDG Ventures.
Helium Health
Helium Health is an online marketplace for health insurance in Sub-Saharan Africa. The platform enables customers to purchase health insurance and provides detailed information on the policy, such as coverage, exclusions, and inclusions. Helium Health was designed with the goal of making health insurance policies more accessible to the average African.
Helium Health was founded in 2018 by Dr. Isaac Awai and Ben Silverman. The company has offices in Nairobi, Kenya. Helium Health has raised $3 million in equity financing from investors such as Endure Capital, Lufa Ventures, and Capital Peak Partners.
Reliance HMO
Reliance HMO is a health benefits company that offers health insurance plans to individuals and groups across Sub-Saharan Africa. The company was founded in 2018 by Dr. Arvind Parthasarathi.
It has offices in London and Mumbai. Reliance HMO has raised $500,000 in equity financing from investors such as Khosla Ventures, IDG Ventures and Endure Capital.
Dabadoc
Dabadoc is a healthcare information management system. The platform was designed with a simple user interface and is compatible with most operating systems. Dabadoc was created to make information management in the healthcare sector easier and less time-consuming.
Dabadoc was founded in 2016 by Alex Ziles. The company has offices in Lausanne, Switzerland. Dabadoc has received funding from the Swiss Government and private investors.
DrugStoc
DrugStoc is a drug discovery and development company that uses blockchain technology to streamline the drug discovery process. The platform is designed to connect researchers, investors, and patients by creating a virtual ecosystem that is accessible to everyone.
DrugStoc was founded in 2016 by Dr. Rudi Parikh. The company has offices in Philadelphia and Mumbai. DrugStoc has received funding from investors such as Khosla Ventures, Endure Capital, and IDG Ventures.
Final words
If the above article has managed to pique your interest in African startups in the health sector, then you might also be interested in Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), and fintech.
As we have seen, there are many exciting startups across Africa that are focusing on these trending industries. If you are interested in learning more about exciting African startups, we recommend that you check out our Startup section.
by Shukuru Amos
There are few markets in the world with as much untapped potential for electric car adoption as Africa. The continent has a growing middle class, a rapidly expanding fleet of new cars, and an urgent need to reform its energy sector.
But can electric vehicles help solve these problems? Or is it not yet time for the electric car in Africa?
These are some of the questions that many auto executives and investors have been asking recently. After all, in other emerging markets such as China, India, and Latin America, sales of electric cars have surged thanks to government incentives and other support programs. In comparison, sales of electric cars remain very low in Africa — in part due to challenges with local production and lack of charging infrastructure.
With a population of around 1 billion people, Africa is one of the regions with the highest growth potential for electric vehicles. Here’s how it could help expand adoption.
What is holding back the electric car in Africa?
Despite several advantages — such as air pollution reduction and lower total cost of ownership — the electric car is yet to become as popular in Africa as in other emerging markets. One of the main reasons is a lack of support from national governments.
While several countries in Asia and Latin America have implemented ambitious plans to promote the electric car, African countries have so far been less active in this regard. Without clear support from governments, consumers are unlikely to embrace electric cars.
Another factor that might be holding back the electric car in Africa is the lack of local production facilities. Most of the electric vehicles sold in Africa are imported from Europe and the US — and this could significantly increase the costs of EV ownership.
Finally, the lack of charging infrastructure is another significant obstacle to the wider adoption of electric cars in Africa.
In some countries, such as Nigeria, there is simply no charging infrastructure at all. In others, such as South Africa, charging stations are starting to appear. But in most African countries, there are not nearly enough charging points for electric cars to become mainstream.
Improving local manufacturing capacity
The lack of local manufacturing capacity is one of the main barriers to the wider adoption of electric cars in Africa. To increase the number of EVs on their roads, countries need to build a local market for electric cars. This requires the government to invest in R&D to create a local supply chain for EV parts and build a network of charging stations in cities. For example, the government of Tanzania is actively pursuing this strategy to promote electric cars. It is supporting the development of local charging infrastructure, including partnerships with private companies.
The government of Tanzania is also helping companies to set up R&D facilities in the country, to help local businesses to produce batteries and other EV components. This approach should help to reduce the costs of EVs and encourage more people to buy them.
The government of Rwanda is another country actively promoting electric cars. It recently built a factory that produces batteries for EVs — and plans to ramp up production to 10,000 units per year by 2020. These are significant steps that could help Rwanda to expand its fleet of EVs from a few hundred to several thousand units shortly.
It’s worth noting that similar efforts are underway in several other African countries, including Ghana, Kenya, Botswana, Morocco, and Nigeria. So, there is a good chance that we will see more electric cars on the streets of African cities in the next few years.
Enabling infrastructure
Another challenge to the wider adoption of electric cars in Africa is a lack of charging infrastructure. Many African countries have no or very few charging stations. This could significantly hamper the growth of the electric car market and prevent consumers from switching to cleaner modes of transport.
To encourage consumers to buy electric cars, governments need to invest in setting up charging infrastructure. Some African countries are already actively working on this. For example, Kenya is building a network of charging stations at various points along the country’s main roads.
In addition, Kenya is also working with the UN to launch a program for charging stations across Africa. Other countries are also making efforts in this direction. For example, Nigeria is also building a network of charging stations, and Mali is expected to have a charging station in each of its largest cities. These are positive trends that could help to grow the electric car market.
Environmental benefits of electric cars
Finally, the growing adoption of electric cars is expected to improve air quality in major African cities. The emissions from gasoline-powered cars and other vehicles have been identified as one of the major sources of air pollution in many African countries. They contribute to the rising number of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases in the region, which led to 2.7 million deaths in 2016.
Boosting the number of electric cars on the road could thus help to improve air quality in African cities. This would in turn help to reduce medical costs and improve the quality of life in many African countries. Also with EVs adoption, Africa could be joining global forces to curb climate change, which affects the continent the most.
Summing up
In many ways, Africa is the ideal market for electric cars. The continent has a growing fleet of new cars, a rapidly expanding middle class, and a pressing need to reform its energy sector. And while many African countries are yet to embrace the electric car, there are several reasons to expect a rise in EV adoption shortly.
Local governments are taking steps to boost R&D and infrastructure, while businesses are making efforts to produce more affordable EVs. When it comes to the electric car, Africa has all the potential to become the next big thing.
by Shukuru Amos
African startups founded by whites may be winning the funding and PR game, but the local market (which these founders are dimly aware of) delivers the final judgment.
As for Kune Food, the markets have spoken. The startup did not do its homework. Kune Food started off on the wrong foot when its founder tried to come up with a false narrative that he launched the startup after failing to get affordable ready-to-eat meals in Nairobi. A blatant lie that immediately backfired on social media. Kune Food later apologized but the damage was done.
To me, if the problem statement was based on a lie, then Kune Food was a dead startup before it even launched. The only reason it even managed to go that far is because of a white founder. The startup overlooked a lot of market realities.
Starting with the food pricing; If you ask salaried guys in Nairobi or Dar es Salaam whether they are willing to spend $3 per meal, these are common replies you would get:
“Bro, spending $3 on a single meal is a once-in-a-while thing for the majority of us”
“If you are looking for repeat business, try to innovate something around Mihogo or Mandazi”
“Three dollars on one meal? That’s two meals at Mama Aisha’s eatery”
You may argue that the price was not an issue, which may be true. After all, Kune Food sold more than 55,000 meals and acquired more than 6,000 individual customers and 100 corporate customers. So the price was not an issue, right?
My contention is that it is easy to be fooled by first-time orders coming in droves based on the marketing hype you have done. But as soon as people start seeing the hole you are digging into their personal finances with that $3 per meal, they go back to Mama Aisha. You are easy to replace.
Another major challenge that led to their demise is a logistics issue. A B2C startup with a delivery component in Africa is destined to fail. It is not about fancy slogans with nice apps and a great e-commerce website, the real deal is logistics. Maybe it works in South Africa but in other places, the cost of running such a business is too high.
All of these of course could have been addressed if Kune Food did their homework. Not everything that looks like a business is a business. More importantly, people do not use a tech-based business for the sake of “tech”. So nice apps and websites do not work if you don’t bring new value from what people are already getting.
The lesson from Kune Food’s collapse is that we should not do our ROI and feasibility studies while seated in fancy hotels. Go and talk to real people down the street. They have the answers. Avoid “peer-reviewed” market research papers. Talk to people.
Another lesson: be grateful your business is taking longer to grow. You can only break your business by trying to move things too fast. Kune Food was in a hurry to nowhere, the hiring spree was crazy, and the marketing hype was too flashy. It is always wise to take things slow.
Markets don’t care how many rounds of funding you have nailed. You may have that privilege to easily access funds but unless you have a solution people want, your days are numbered. Business is hard.
