Denis Opudo
Over the years, it has been very difficult for blacks to establish technological enterprises in the western countries. According to the VOA documentary entitled “Beyond the Unicorn”, Africans have prerequisite skills to venture into tech industry. In the same document under sub-title “Africans Making IT in Silicon Valley,” a good analogy of black tech industry is explained. The section gives in-depth illustrations on how some Africans find their way in tech industries in California. The documentary is aired 26 minutes during a VOA event via French university INSEEC U. The program plays a critical role in highlighting common disparities, funding gaps, identification of market opportunities. Based on net worth, a unicorn can define as an independent technology company valued at $1 billion and above. Worldwide, there are only 200 such companies up to now.
Silicon Valley is the institution with many companies under the above category such as Airbnb and the Uber. Due limited investment funding in Africa, Unicorn tends to sideline the Developing countries. Mr. Stephen Ozoigbo one of panelist suggested the name to be a gazelle which is an indigenous and realistic object.
Africa is known as the fast-growing population continent in the entire globe. Some countries like Nigeria and Ethiopia are projected to double their population come 2050. A report by Disrupt Africa news portal indicates that tech startups in the continent managed to raise about $195 million. The amount was comparatively higher than 2016 which was only $130 million. Partech Ventures, on the other hand, indicated 2017 growth of $560 million obtained from only 124 tech startups in Africa. The figures were also larger than the 2016 growth which was $367 from nearly 74 tech startups. Despite this growth rate, African still receives minimum private investment funds. This is the main challenge in the tech ecosystem in Africa.
The Silicon Valley is constituted with just 3% of the black workforce. The senior developer, Bukola Akinfaderin stated that possibility of having a female participant in the company is dwindling. Her participation in the documentary as the only black female software engineer gained support and critics among organizations and stakeholders.
The blacks’ continent generally requires support through venture funding, mentorship programmes, and networking platforms. The other areas which need immediate actions are educating African youths using modern technology and entrepreneurship skills. For instance tech sector will require a well-trained expert in data science, artificial intelligence, health, business among others.
The Unicorn airing initiative further provided “a showcase for VOA’s” by telling successful American tech stories and independent news. Amanda Benneth, the VOA director added that most rhetoric phenomenon is the difference between American nationals and Diaspora Americans. She noted that American Diasporas who came thirsty for knowledge end up becoming successful entrepreneurs than native counterparts.
