STAT TIMES: Innovation Reignites Digitalization in Africa

“Innovate or die” is an inevitably common mantra often invoked when it comes to realizing a new career, which is apparently recognized by the experts, officials and entrepreneurs attending Trans form Africa 2015 Summit, among which Star Times, a leading African digital TV operator, stands out for its innovative stride towards Africa’s digitalization, writes Geoffrey Wakibi The date set by Information and Technology Union (ITU), June 2015, has already passed for more than four months. The reasons for the failure of African countries to meet the deadline have been said every now and then. Reasons for the failure to meet this deadline include but not limited to: Capital-intensity and Technology-intensity. It is worth noting that failure to meet the deadline is linked with money, which is in great demand during the process of digitalization. “The Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), for instance, requires 15 million dollars (N2.9 billion) to complete its digitization program across the country,” says The Director-General of NTA, Mr. Sola Omole, in his remarks during the fifth Africa Digital TV Development Seminar in Tianjin. What is interesting and significant is the action that ITU chose to take after the deadline of June 2015 and after being disappointed that there was no hope of grabbing a bank. It is not surprising to see that this ideal, yet practical organization, tries to tackle the technology factor, against which the theme of Transform Africa 2015 innovation is stressed. Technological innovation is obviously not money, but it can help the dilemma where there is urgent lack of money. Heated as the oil or stock market might be, it is the information technology like TV and the internet that changes the way we get information, and the channel we communicate.

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STAT TIMES: Innovation Reignites Digitalization in Africa