On 17 June 2008, STT (Stichting Toekomstbeeld der Technologie/STT Netherlands Study Centre for Technology Trends) celebrated its 40th anniversary in The Hague. As a short introduction to his ongoing project on technology in Africa, project leader Jasper Grosskurth (grosskurth@stt.nl) presented a thought-provoking flash forward to 2048, when Africa would be the boom region worldwide.* North Africa produces 200 giga watts of energy with solar thermal systems. Part of the energy is exported to Europe, and the rest is used to provide local electricity and desalinate sea water to resolve the drinking water shortage. After the installation of the third fibre optic cable in East Africa in 2010 and unrest in India in 2023, the local ICT sector exploded. In 2048, East Africa has become the hub for international service provision. From 2020 onwards, Nigeria heavily invested in flora technology, profiting from the viodiversity of neighbouring Cameroon. The technology caused an enormous economic stimulation for West Africa. *
During the next 18 months, the project will bring together experts from business, NGOs and research to develop scenarios on the future of technology in Africa.
See also euforic newsfeeds on Africa and the EU-Africa relations.
by Birthe Paul