Africa needs sustainable technology

Editor, THIS IS in reference to the story “Samsung boosts ICT in Rwanda schools” published on May 9. The initiative is good. This is a sustainable model as it provides an all-in-one solution: a classroom, computers, internet and power. Antoine, South Korea **************************** Dear Antoine, A CLASSROOM, computers, internet and power, all these are tools...but for what use? Samsung (and many others) will sell you—or give you for free, in a commercial promotional campaign—more or less sophisticated hardware; but not necessarily the most sustainable (i.e. locally adapted) software. Therefore, perhaps prior to accepting/acquiring—and eventually designing—hardware, we should first focus on devising the most appropriate software for specific local end use. And only then shop around, accept “free”, or better design ourselves the most performing hardware. For most appropriate, i.e. sustainable, both software and hardware, Rwanda and Africa in general badly need well trained designers, that we don’t have yet. François-Xavier Nziyonsenga, Canada

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Africa needs sustainable technology