Key takeaways:
- Technology standards are crucial for global interoperability, safety, and quality in tech, yet their importance is often overlooked.
- African countries need to engage in global technology standard-setting to prevent technological colonization and ensure their interests are represented.
- Investing in research and development is essential for African nations to innovate and establish new technology standards that reflect their unique strengths and needs.
In an era where technology permeates every facet of life—from smartphones in our pockets to automated systems in industries—standards have become the unsung linchpin holding this vast network together. These technical specifications, a language developed and understood by engineers, designers, manufacturers, and end-users worldwide, ensure that technology is interoperable, high-quality, and safe for global use. While the influence and benefits of technology standards are globally acknowledged, their significance is under-recognized and under-participated in regions like Nigeria and Africa at large. This lack of active involvement in the dialogue and development of technology standards can have far-reaching implications for the continent’s technological advancement, economic growth, and national security.
Technology standards, governed by bodies such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) are pivotal in eliminating developmental barriers, ensuring safety, and promoting universal access to innovations. With over seven billion people globally owning a smartphone, it’s evident that standardization is not just about functionality: it’s about extending the reach of life-enhancing technology to worldwide users. In this expansive ecosystem, leadership in setting standards is not a privilege but a necessity, as it defines the terms of global cooperation in the development and utilization of new technologies.
Historically, the United States has been a formidable leader in this arena, thanks to its substantial investments in research and development (R&D). However, this leadership position is wavering in the face of intensifying competition, notably from countries like China, with its aggressive “China Standards 2035” plan aimed at global standards domination. Such a shift isn’t just commercial; it’s also ideological, with the potential spread of China’s authoritarian data model posing a stark threat to democratic values globally.
For Nigeria and Africa more broadly, the situation presents a twofold challenge: the risk of technological colonization—where foreign standards dictate local technological practices, and the loss of competitive advantage in the global marketplace due to passive involvement in standard-setting processes. However, these challenges can also be viewed as a call to action for African nations to assert their place at the table of global technology discourse.
Firstly, active participation in international standards setting would enable Nigeria and other African countries to influence decisions that affect their economies and national security. The continent is a mosaic of innovation, with a burgeoning youth population and rapidly expanding tech hubs, like those in Lagos and Nairobi. These hubs are not just centres of innovation but potential cradles for new standards that reflect Africa’s unique needs, especially in sectors like telecommunications, renewable energy, and digital commerce.
Investing in research and development (R&D) is a cornerstone of technological innovation, particularly in a global landscape characterized by rapidly evolving digital standards and practices. For African nations, committing resources at both regional and national levels is not merely beneficial—it’s essential to shape a future where the continent isn’t just keeping pace with global advancements but also contributing to defining standards and innovations.
The implementation of state-funded programs aimed at fostering R&D is a strategic starting point. Governments need to allocate funds specifically for technological research and create platforms where both academia and industry can converge to brainstorm, develop, and test new technologies. This state-industry synergy is crucial, as seen in regions like Europe and Asia, where government backing often provides the security innovators need to explore and create. Furthermore, incentives such as tax breaks, grants, and recognition awards can drive the private sector to invest more in R&D, contributing to a fertile innovation ecosystem.
One notable area where African innovation has already made significant strides is mobile money and financial technology. This success story can be attributed to the unique economic environment of the continent, which has a large unbanked population and a growing, tech-savvy demographic that readily adopts mobile solutions. By further investing in R&D, African nations can leverage their firsthand experience to pioneer standards in this sector, influencing global practices, and showcasing the continent’s potential as a technological trailblazer.
However, innovation doesn’t thrive in a vacuum. It requires protection and encouragement, which is where Intellectual Property (IP) rights come into play. In many African countries, IP laws exist but are often fraught with enforcement challenges and a lack of public awareness about their importance. Strengthening these laws to protect inventions, designs, and creative works is crucial to ensuring that innovators and creators can profit from their ideas and investments. This legal backing is a significant incentive for ongoing innovation.
Beyond the individual or company’s benefits, robust IP protection is crucial on a global stage, especially in standards-setting arenas. When an African company innovates a product or service, owning intellectual property rights can provide a seat at the table in international standard-setting organizations. It’s this influence that can steer discussions or decisions towards considerations that factor in the continent’s unique needs and perspectives.
Moreover, a strong IP regime isn’t just about protecting ideas; it’s about building a reputation. When African nations are known for robust IP enforcement, they become attractive destinations for foreign investments and collaborations. Investors and innovators seek environments where their efforts and ideas are safeguarded. This influx can create a positive feedback loop, further boosting the continent’s technological ecosystem and its capacity to engage in and influence global technology standards.
The role of education cannot be overstated. Enhancing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education and promoting a culture of research and innovation can foster a new generation of tech-savvy leaders and innovators. These individuals will be instrumental in contributing to and establishing technology standards that resonate with the continent’s aspirations and the digital economy’s dynamics.
In conclusion, for Nigeria and its African peers, the path to technological autonomy and influence lies in understanding the intricate dance of standards, IP, innovation, and their collective impact on national security and economic prosperity. African nations can secure their place in the annals of global technology history by investing in R&D, fortifying IP laws, bolstering STEM education, and actively engaging in global standard-setting bodies. The time for Africa to not just join the conversation, but lead in diverse areas of technology standardisation, is now—because, in the realm of global standards, those who lead indeed shape the world.
