[kictanet] Why local funding is critical for ICT projects

[Ahmed Mohamed Maawy]

Hello Muraya,

Great topic for discussion.

Simply speaking I could sight 2 issues (from personal observation) that we
may need to address.

*Risk taking culture*

>From experience, this goes beyond folks with deep pockets and banking
institutions and other financial players in the market. Conversations with
folks in these circles end up with the blank statement that "IT is a Big
Risk Investment". Thus we opt for solid less risk investments - real
estate, shopping malls, shopping centers, etc. As much as it is our job as
IT practitioners to convince these folks otherwise, its a double edged
sword. Its sometimes perceptions like these ones from the folks who can
invest money into risk areas that create an economy that is net import
instead of net export. End of the day folks won't stay in houses and shop
in malls they can't afford to shop in if the economy will not create
surplus revenues from products that will bring in net revenue.

Granted business is all about returns, but who knew Mark Zuckerberg could
launch the largest online community from a dorm? What if he just decided to
build a shopping mall? The biggest wins are always in uncharted
territories. So its on us and our investment partners to look at things
differently.

*Scalability*

We also need to give a compelling reason why our products are not just
enough for the job. A lot of innovations stagnate at the "it does enough"
zone and fail to look for bigger fish to fry. There is also an attention to
detail issue in the equation. Basically, if we produce whats sufficent and
not whats excellent, we compromise on principles of great product
development. We need to think beyond this.

Just my 2 cents...

On Fri, Aug 17, 2018 at 11:43 AM S.M. Muraya via kictanet <
kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:

> Last week Walu penned some very pertinent thoughts (will create a second
> thread for that article). The current one is somehow related
>
>
>
> https://www.nation.co.ke/oped/blogs/dot9/walubengo/Why-local-funding-critical-for-ICT-projects/2274560-4715472-rn8g4kz/index.html
>
>
> Quote:  "What is this that foreign investors see in our ICT potential
> that local investors don’t? Additionally, what are the ‘strings’ attached,
> which more often than not go hand in hand with foreign money... our
> typical local investor is only interested in the traditional assets.."
>
> Reality: We (veterans in ignoring/undermining each other) did not model
> decency for upcoming talent and now they worship foreigners who due to
> cultural differences (misunderstanding) cannot move our nation forward.
>
>
> https://businesstech.co.za/news/cloud-hosting/251373/amazon-and-microsoft-talk-up-south-african-data-centres/
>
> Case in point, why do excellent multi nationals (e.g. Microsoft, Amazon)
> favor South Africa for data centers? In South Africa there is an efficient,
> creative (primarily white) minority population which does not undermine
> (deceive) itself as much as we do.
>
> To conclude, last year, a well spoken, well presented employer/investor
> (former high school mate of mine 25+ years ago) was shocked by Kenyans in
> their early twenties. He conducted a research for one of his clients and 24
> out of 26 lied in their submissions.
>
> That is all.
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-- 
*Ahmed Maawy*
Skype: ultimateprogramer
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