Dr Juliet Ehimuan is the Founder of Beyond Limits Africa and the immediate past Director, Google West Africa. With over 25 years of experience in the tech space, Ehimuan, for 12 years, served as the Country Director of Google Nigeria and later, West Africa. Beyond Limit Africa is her new vision and it recently held the first forum targeted at accelerating growth within the African tech space through digital transformation of businesses and empowering the next generation of African entrepreneurs. She spoke with ADEYEMI ADEPETUN on the importance of collaboration in boosting regional digital growth.

Could you shed light on what inspired your new event, the DICE Mixer?
DICE, an acronym for Digital Innovation and Creative Excellence, is a strategic initiative by Beyond Limits aimed at propelling technological revolution in Africa. It is a platform where technology leaders, innovators, startups, creatives and the larger business community from Nigeria and across Africa gather to push the boundaries of digital transformation and collaborative innovation. Our mission is to contribute to the African tech, business and creative ecosystems by fostering a community of knowledge, experience sharing, and collaboration.

A lot of great work is happening across the tech space – but they are happening in small circles. Organically. Gradually. Slowly. If we are to meet the ambition of the moment, we must turn our diffuse ecosystems into connected networks committed to one goal – helping to unleash and realise the potential of technology in Africa.

The ecosystem is broad. Like every market, our digital markets require efforts from a broad array of stakeholders. As we lean more into the digital economy, it becomes more important that all of us across the ecosystem get together more often and with more intentionality. The DICE initiative was conceived from the need for a dedicated gathering point where Africa’s business leaders, tech visionaries, entrepreneurs, and creative talents could meet to exchange ideas, discover new concepts, and establish impactful partnerships. We recognised the importance of creating a platform that encourages conversation and facilitates technological and business advancements throughout the continent.

The inaugural DICE mixer showcased the robust potential and energy of Africa’s tech landscape. We welcomed a diverse assembly of participants, ranging from rising startup founders to renowned industry veterans. There were stakeholders not just from the tech ecosystem, but from the creative space, government, and the larger business community as well.

We can’t talk about the digital economy without these critical stakeholder groups that currently play and will continue to have a very important role to play in the growth of the digital economy.

The event featured a combination of engaging panel discussions with tech pioneers, in-depth breakout sessions for closer engagement, and innovative networking opportunities. Key ecosystem leaders like Funke Opeke, Kola Aina, and Amal Hassan provided invaluable insights, enriching the event with a variety of perspectives and ideas.

Our aim at Beyond Limits is to leverage DICE as a platform for facilitating these connections and engagements. We see DICE as more than just a platform for starting conversations; it’s a place where ideas can be cultivated into practical solutions, and collaborations initiated to tackle the most pressing technological challenges.

The theme was ‘Solve for Africa, what does this truly mean and how does it align with Beyond Limits’ mission?
IN simple words, ‘Solving for Africa’ means developing tools and strategies that unleash the continent’s talent and rich heritage to the world. At its core, this concept is about harnessing technology to unlock the immense potential of Africa’s talent and rich heritage. It’s about creating pathways for our young, dynamic, and vibrant population to excel in the global economy and reach their fullest potential.

We often hear that this is Africa’s decade, and I firmly believe that if this is to be true, it will be largely due to how effectively we leverage technology. The “Solve for Africa” theme underscores the critical role technology will play in driving economic growth, fostering good governance, and enhancing the quality of life across the continent.

This theme also acknowledges the necessity of customising technology to meet Africa’s unique challenges. Solutions that work in other parts of the world may not be directly applicable here without adjustments to fit the specific nuances of our market. For example, while Western fintech solutions can build upon established credit scoring systems to mitigate risk, in Africa, solution providers need to develop their own tailored approaches that make sense within our societal context.

At Beyond Limits, we’re bringing the “Solving for Africa” mission to life through various initiatives. One such initiative is the Beyond Limits Fellowship, where we recently concluded training and mentoring for a cohort of 27 startups from across five countries in Africa, providing them with access to networks and grants.

What are some of the most pressing challenges in Africa’s digital economy?
IN Africa’s burgeoning digital economy, several critical challenges need to be addressed to ensure robust and sustainable growth. These challenges span across various key areas, each integral to the functioning and advancement of the digital market.

Firstly, market access remains a significant hurdle. We’re grappling with issues like inadequate infrastructure, which hampers the expansion and affordability of essential services. Broadband access, a cornerstone of the digital economy, is still limited and costly in many parts of Africa.

There’s a pressing need to expand these services and make them more affordable. Alongside this, enhancing the affordability and availability of digital devices like smartphones, computers, and digital notepads is crucial. These tools are fundamental to participating in the digital economy, and their accessibility is vital for widespread digital inclusion.

Another key area is skill development. There’s a need for comprehensive training programmes focusing on digital skills to prepare individuals for the digital era. This involves not just teaching technical skills but also imparting business acumen and digital literacy. Ensuring that everyone, irrespective of their background, has the opportunity to develop these skills is essential for achieving digital inclusion.

Further, a collaborative approach is necessary to address these challenges effectively. This means fostering more interaction and cooperation between government agencies, private sector stakeholders, and industry experts. Each of these entities brings unique insights and resources to the table, and their combined efforts are crucial for developing a cohesive and inclusive digital economy.

The role of government as an enabler cannot be overstated. It’s heartening to see some of these issues being recognised and prioritised by the current administration. There’s still a long way to go and continuous effort and focus are required to overcome these challenges and unlock the full potential of Africa’s digital economy.

What role do you see technology playing in Africa in the next few years?
TECHNOLOGY is set to play an increasingly transformative role in Africa in the coming years, acting as a catalyst for change across various sectors. The journey of technology in Africa over the last two decades has been remarkable, evolving from basic local area networks and digitisation initiatives to the birth of world-class companies in e-commerce, fintech, agritech, health tech and edutech. The incorporation of advanced technologies like Artificial Intelligence into our solutions is a testament to this growth.

The astonishing pace of technological advancement in the last decade has enabled us to solve practical problems, create impactful solutions on a massive scale, give rise to unicorns, and foster a generation of innovators addressing diverse challenges in areas like access, content, and development. This progress has solidified our place in the global digital economy and has set high expectations for the role of technology in Africa in the next decade.

Looking ahead, we anticipate technology to be a significant driver of job creation, with an expectation of three million new jobs in Nigeria alone in the next four years. Across Africa, technology is expected to play a pivotal role in enhancing financial access and inclusion, streamlining government service delivery, advancing healthcare through telemedicine, and providing world-class educational resources accessible via mobile devices. In agriculture, technology is anticipated to bridge funding, infrastructure, and logistic gaps, boosting productivity and employment.

Realising these ambitious goals requires collaboration and partnerships on a scale that matches our aspirations. While there have been significant advancements within the tech space, many of these developments are occurring in isolated circles. To meet the moment’s ambition, we must transform our diffuse ecosystems into interconnected digital villages, creating a vibrant digital tribe united in unleashing and realising Africa’s technological potential.

Collaboration is crucial in accelerating Africa’s digital journey. When diverse groups like businesses, governments, schools, and communities come together, they pool ideas, resources, and strengths. Such partnerships facilitate quicker problem-solving and enable the development of solutions that are not only tailored for Africa but also competitive on a global stage. These collaborations form a robust network propelling us towards an inclusive digital future that benefits the entire continent. Working together, we can expedite Africa’s transition into the digital age, ensuring that technology’s benefits are widespread and inclusive.

Where do you envision Africa’s digital landscape in the next decade?
LIKE many others, I believe that this decade is Africa’s decade. Whether or not we achieve this depends on how well we can leverage tech to provide solutions concerning economic growth, governance, and quality of life. For Africa to achieve its full potential, emerging technologies like AI must be embraced. The potential impact of these technologies is immense as they have the potential to revolutionise industries, drive efficiency, and unlock new opportunities for growth and innovation.

At Beyond Limits, we’re contributing our quota towards positioning the industry for that future in several ways. Through DICE, we’re creating a platform where these issues can be discussed, solutions proffered, and collaborations established to move us forward. At DICE, entrepreneurs will be able to engage with funders, potential collaborators and potentially their next major business clients. Funders will meet trailblazing startups across key sectors like EduTech, AgriTech, MedTech and the like. Policymakers will get unfettered access to private sector players and have critical conversations about ways in which the public sector can enhance the development of the digital economy.

What is your advice for young tech enthusiasts and entrepreneurs as they embark on their journey to solving African challenges?
MY advice for young entrepreneurs is three-pronged: vision, conviction and follow-through action. First, they must set a clear vision for themselves and define what exactly it is they want to achieve. Next, they must believe in themselves and believe that they have what it takes.

Of course, a vision without a plan is like wishful thinking. They must plan and apply the necessary discipline to follow through on their plans, anticipate and navigate risks and challenges, seek out assistance when needed, and leverage the tools available to them. They must also not forget to build their networks along the way. Networking is very important, and being able to enrol others in your vision.