[kictanet] [he who pays the piper...] Why Leapfrogging in Frontier Markets Isn't Working
Patrick A. M. Maina
pmaina2000 at yahoo.com
Tue Mar 26 17:36:38 EAT 2019
Listers,
When interacting with some of these Pro-Aid NGOs it is good to examine their own practices (e.g. with regards to "racial" / ethnic diversity) as well as funding partners. Remember that he who pays the piper, most likely calls the tune.
https://www.cgdev.org/section/funding
Cgdev.org appears to have very poor diversity in its own org. structure - apparently with no Indigenous African National representation whether at decision making level (e.g. board or leadership) or lower levels. The little staff diversity they have, with respect to people of African descent, appears to be mostly at the most junior positions - and apparently none of them lives in Africa.
This should matter. A lot. How can an organization with such abysmal levels of African representation credibly claim expertise or credible motivation / incentive with respect to positive development of frontier markets (especially Africa)?
https://www.cgdev.org/our-leadership
https://www.cgdev.org/section/experts/staff
At some point, we Africans have to refuse the "puppet / rubber-stamp" role and demand recognition as experts in our own affairs, who are capable of competent agency in pursuit of Africa's agenda.
This is not to negate the need for (or potential benefits of) truly altruistic international partnerships - but to challenge the de-facto paternalistic approach adopted by many well-meaning NGOs, which has failed repeatedly over the last 50-100 years (while damaging Africa's image and subjecting African people to long-term global humiliation, indignity - sometimes to the extent of systematic de-humanization via harmful stereoptypes).
I doubt the problem is caused by incompetence or recipient-side corruption (as often conveniently alluded) because very competent and smart people are involved and they know how to solve these problems (we're talking global armies of PHD level economists and Political Science graduates). Not to mention that proceeds of corruption tend to end up as "investment" in donor countries (some of which are renowned as money laundering havens).
Africans need to challenge the *real intent* behind these program, ask for more strategic transparency and ask for meaningful seats at the table where programs and priorities are established if indeed the underlying intent is noble. If the answer to this is "beggars can't be choosers" - then the intent driving these initiatives cannot possibly be altruistic and it would be foolish of Africans to take things at face value.
I'm open to alternative perspectives as I continue to learn more about these things.
Brgds,Patrick.
Patrick A. M. Maina[Cross Domain Innovator | Public Policy Analyst - Indigenous Innovations]
On Tuesday, March 26, 2019, 9:57:52 AM GMT+3, Gideon via kictanet <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:
+1 Ali,
Not to oversimplify my point, but if only inbound tech/businesses would take good time to re-evaluate core business models and local enviroments before leaping in. I also think leapfrogging in itself may not be felt in some countries like KE where new technologies are adapted almost immediately albeit in ways that only benefit or fit into the local needs and enviroment.
In some situations, a big leap works, in others bit stepwise scalling coupled with adaptating solutions to local problems, nuances and ways of living would be the best formula.
RegardsGR
On Tue, Mar 26, 2019 at 8:59 AM <kictanet-request at lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:
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Today's Topics:
1. Re: Why ?Leapfrogging? in Frontier Markets Isn?t Working
(Ali Hussein)
2. Blockchain Taskforce Report (Ali Hussein)
3. Cyber Wing-Child Protection Unit (Watoto Watch Network)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Mon, 25 Mar 2019 06:58:06 +0300
From: Ali Hussein <ali at hussein.me.ke>
To: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>
Subject: Re: [kictanet] Why ?Leapfrogging? in Frontier Markets Isn?t
Working
Message-ID:
<CAPjmBy1oHTx8_8VQGEpmaroFFdeXxPafsHam-jnsJG7KA9dxFg at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
Alice
Interesting article. Long read but worth it. My take is that the author
makes valid arguments. There are certain areas which I think he should have
paid attention to:-
1. Comparing Africa and the rest of the world as if Africa is one country
is a bit of a stretch.
2. The #BigTech example (Uber specifically) is not complete without taking
into account that global companies fail in frontier markets not because
they don't have the muscle to succeed but because they fail to understand
and learn from local nuances.
3. Platforms are under attack by regulators everywhere and this
conversation won't be complete if we don't pay attention to what regulation
will mean going forward in Africa.
4. Scaling is not for everyone. To equate innovation to scaling doesn't in
my humble opinion tell the whole story.
5. To tell the story of 'Leapfrogging' in Frontier Markets without talking
about Mpesa is in my humble opinion missing a big part of the story. I'm
hoping that the next part will probably cover this?
Regards
*Ali Hussein*
*Principal*
*AHK & Associates*
Tel: +254 713 601113
Twitter: @AliHKassim
Skype: abu-jomo
LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim
<http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim>
13th Floor , Delta Towers, Oracle Wing,
Chiromo Road, Westlands,
Nairobi, Kenya.
Any information of a personal nature expressed in this email are purely
mine and do not necessarily reflect the official positions of the
organizations that I work with.
On Sat, Mar 23, 2019 at 11:27 PM Alice Munyua via kictanet <
kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:
> Ali,
> Your thoughts?
>
>
>
> https://www.cgdev.org/publication/why-leapfrogging-frontier-markets-isnt-working
>
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Message: 2
Date: Mon, 25 Mar 2019 09:43:17 +0300
From: Ali Hussein <ali at hussein.me.ke>
To: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>
Subject: [kictanet] Blockchain Taskforce Report
Message-ID:
<CAPjmBy3Asj=BNrLEpe+U8sYUEsBgjbJzt4FXSVono3bSEkWCRg at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
Listers
Has anyone perhaps have had a look at the above report? Shouldn't this
report have been released by now? Almost 9 months later?
Dr. Ndemo, as Chair of the Taskforce please give us an update?
Regards
*Ali Hussein*
*Principal*
*AHK & Associates*
Tel: +254 713 601113
Twitter: @AliHKassim
Skype: abu-jomo
LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim
<http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim>
13th Floor , Delta Towers, Oracle Wing,
Chiromo Road, Westlands,
Nairobi, Kenya.
Any information of a personal nature expressed in this email are purely
mine and do not necessarily reflect the official positions of the
organizations that I work with.
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Message: 3
Date: Tue, 26 Mar 2019 08:56:39 +0300
From: Watoto Watch Network <Lillian at watotowatchnetwork.org>
To: kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
Subject: [kictanet] Cyber Wing-Child Protection Unit
Message-ID:
<CABRGQW9Edj+KFM+RJ3OkNo1oW5kxuN+NYSj466V9F1OP_t0M+w at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
Hello Listers,
Great development for children in our online space in Kenya; Opening
of the *Cyber
Wing* at the Child Protection Unit (DCI).
The wing will support investigators tackle Child Online crimes.
The unit will be the first in Africa to be linked to Interpol's
International Child Sexual Exploitation database.
See more info; @DailyNation
https://www.nation.co.ke/news/Kenya-gets-first-cyber-unit-to-fight-child-sex-abuse/1056-5041396-trw3ca/
Great day.
Regards,
Lillian Kariuki.
(Executive Director, Watoto Watch Network)
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