Heard this mind blow story of what is going on in Rwanda as I'm here in Mountain View, CA having just done a global hangout at Google for the book on startups in the Middle East (www.startuprisingbook.com). I have not reported this out, so only share what I heard. And what I heard is no surprise in Africa -- but is a stunner pretty much to everyone in the West.
Within three years, all of Rwanda -- the entire country-- will be LTE. They are leaping over every other technology (3g, 4g), going right to LTE. Dense populations allows this to happen quickly. They are committing real capital. Korea among other emerged growth markets that know what work are playing important roles.
Within three years, all of Rwanda -- the entire country-- will be LTE. They are leaping over every other technology (3g, 4g), going right to LTE. Dense populations allows this to happen quickly. They are committing real capital. Korea among other emerged growth markets that know what work are playing important roles.
The government of Rwanda are tearing down city blocks and building new, ultra green and tech-friendly buildings block by block across their cities. President Kagame works 16 hours a day, and is obsessed with the Singapore model of willing an entirely new economy to be born. In the complicated and painful reconciliation that may take a generation if ever to fully complete, he and they believe a new generation must see and be inspired by a future that works. As his term ends in 2017 -- term limits he imposed and seems committed to respect -- his mantra around the country to get this infrastructure built is: "we have until 2017." Everyone is government are doing their jobs with tablets. They are driving a policy of "One Laptop Per Child." (see this piece a few days ago: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/6247728/One-laptop-per-child.html).
They and he are obsessed on tackling corruption -- zero tolerance. Best quote of the day I heard: "In most countries in Africa, aide organizations give $10 and $9 disappears. In Rwanda of every $10 in aide or investments, $9 is accountable with performance metrics. And the $1 that disappears, ends up in jail."
They want to be the tech center of the continent. Every country there in the region is visiting all the time to see what they are doing.
They want to be the tech center of the continent. Every country there in the region is visiting all the time to see what they are doing.
If these projections are even half right, it is all remarkable and a great story of our times. And if here, why not anywhere? The potential is everywhere.
Follow Me On Twitter: https://twitter.com/arjunsantosh
Follow Me On Twitter: https://twitter.com/arjunsantosh
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