Technology Adoption as a Catalyst Enabling Sustainable Business Growth in Africa

Introduction

The world today is experiencing a new kind of industrial revolution: the fourth industrial revolution characterised by advancements in technologies in areas such as renewable energy, artificial intelligence (AI), biotechnology, nanotechnology, blockchain, space technologies, virtual and augmented realities, and robotics, among others. These technologies hold immense potential, especially in areas of sustainability. Despite these advancements, African countries still lag behind developed countries in terms of innovation and adoption. Moreover, the effects of climate change characterised by changes in weather patterns further showcase the importance of adopting new technologies to cushion economies from these adverse effects. As such, despite many studies on the importance of technology adoption, few have focused on technology as a key factor in sustainable growth.

Thus, the push behind this research goes beyond technological advancements as key disruptors in economic growth but focuses on sustainability with a focus on African countries, especially sub-Saharan countries which are facing many issues regarding sustainability. Moreover, the research aligns with Africa Vision 2030 and Agenda 2063. Agenda 2063 aims to transform Africa into an economic powerhouse through sustainable development. Africa Vision 2030, on the other hand, aims to end all forms of poverty. As such, to achieve these milestones, there is a need to focus on the three pillars of sustainability: environmental, social, and economic (Purvis et al).

 fig1: (Gevme)

Thus, as the talk of sustainability continues to be the focus across the globe, there is a need to understand these three pillars and the role technology plays towards sustainable growth. Hence, the research question aims to understand the relationship between sustainable growth and technology. The research will focus on the three pillars and the role technology can play in ensuring the growth sought today will not affect the future generations. Content analyses as a qualitative method will explore contextual materials with a key focus on technology as a tool for sustainability across the three pillars.

Environment

According to the United Nations, sustainability means meeting the needs of today without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Present-day growth relies on the utilisation of natural resources to drive various sectors of the economy. Therefore, achieving environmental sustainability involves striking a balance between ecological, economic, and social objectives through eco-friendly programs. These include cutting carbon emissions, supporting renewable energy, promoting sustainable transportation technologies, implementing green building technologies, and ensuring equitable sharing of resources.

The relationship between technology and environmental sustainability is encapsulated in green technology. Green technology is approached from two major perspectives. The first is to mitigate the effects of greenhouse gases (carbonization), while the other is to adopt ecologically responsible resources. However, there exists a third concept that combines the two in terms of energy use and resource consumption.

The industrial revolution introduced new technologies that fueled economic growth at the expense of environmental protection. Increased urbanisation accelerated ozone layer depletion and the melting of ice caps. These environmental impacts played a crucial role in the adoption of the Paris Agreement in 2016. The aim of the agreement is to limit global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

In support of achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement, many countries are adopting various approaches. For instance, Kenya, through its Kenya Energy Transition and Investment Plan 2023 – 2050 (ETIP), aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. This proposed plan aligns with the strategies of other governments to ensure coordination and efficiency in its implementation. The plan provides a unified course of action for the renewable energy sector, incorporating a comprehensive strategy that considers the financial requirements for its execution. It lays the groundwork for establishing energy-related objectives that will be incorporated into the next National Blueprint.

Fig 2: (Green Tour Kenya)

African cities suffer from uncontrolled development, with many facing challenges such as insufficient water supplies, inadequate waste management, and poor urban transport infrastructure, among others. For example, the Kenyan capital Nairobi grapples with urban mobility issues, including significant time spent in traffic congestion. The World Bank asserts that inadequate infrastructure is the primary cause of Nairobi’s traffic congestion, which detrimentally affects the country’s economy. Reports indicate that Nairobi has one of the longest commute times to and from work, which has a widespread impact across various economic sectors. Moreover, persistent traffic congestion during rush hours contributes to air pollution and financial losses associated with fuel consumption.

Fig 3: (Typical Nairobi Street highlighting congestion from vehicular and human traffic)

The adoption of technological advancements in urban planning can indeed play a significant role in creating sustainable cities. For African cities specifically, the adoption of smart, green mass transport systems can greatly alleviate traffic congestion and reduce pollution. Additionally, integrating green building technologies from the design phase to construction can contribute to sustainability by reducing costs and minimising the use of toxic substances. To achieve sustainable growth, African countries must integrate emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT), and big data into urban development initiatives. These technologies can be leveraged to optimise resource allocation, improve energy efficiency, and enhance overall urban infrastructure. By harnessing the power of these innovations, African cities can effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable urban development.

Fig 4: (A proposed urban renewal project, Kencom Bus Station, Nairobi. Mimano et al.)

Economic

Sustainable growth in the economy is defined as a growing economy that seeks to meet people’s requirements while also preserving biodiversity and ecosystems for generations to come. Today, many African countries are putting in measures to encourage economic development through attracting investments in manufacturing and resource exploitation. However, when economies grow, they have a significant influence on biodiversity and environmental quality. If destruction of the environment is proportionate to economic expansion, as numerous groups, including the Club of Rome, propose, the only way to control environmental decay is to restrict growth. In principle, emerging countries’ futures do not appear promising (Zhang).

Sustainable economic development can be enhanced through the adoption of technology to operation processes, reduce environmental decay, and create jobs. Kenya, for instance, continues to benefit from foreign direct investments in areas such as renewable energy, agriculture, and health sectors. These investments have created an opportunity for Kenyans through job creation, remittance to the Kenyan economy, and skills transfer. For instance, by digitising processes, the Kenya Association of Manufacturers, Safaricom, and British American Tobacco Kenya (BAT Kenya) worked together to support long-term economic development (Mbogo).

Social

Sustainable social development is built on understanding the needs of the people. Understanding the needs of the people encompass various aspects in development such as gender, education, health, population growth, food, and gender equity. As such, in achieving the needs of people today, it is critical to also understand the needs of future generations, thus passing down the idea of sustainability to future generations. Ensuring equitable opportunities, achieving fundamental liberties and basic living circumstances, and enabling people to participate in decision-making both domestically and internationally are the goals of socially sustainable development.

The goal of sustainable social development can be achieved through adoption of technology. In many instances, involvement of masses in decision-making is achieved through technology. A good example lies in online contributions to various project such as this research paper, which views can contribute to further research and policy formulation. African countries face many challenges when it comes to social equity. Many cases of gender-based violence continue to affect many household where many women continue to stay in abusive relationships due to taboos associated with divorced women. Moreover, lack of gender equity in the workplace where women earn less than their male counterparts continue to hinder equitable social development. Kenya, for instance faces many challenges associated with social development where hunger and poverty continue to be a major challenge. A study by save the children showcase in 2023, 942,000 children aged 5 and below and 135,000 women and breastfeeding mothers faced acute malnourishment and in need of treatment (Save the Children, Kenya). In this instance, the most affected communities live in arid and semi-arid areas of Northern Kenya which have over time been marginalised.

Technology adoption can be critical in addressing social challenges. For instance, telemedicine can contribute to access to medical services to communities living in remote areas. Moreover, technology being adopted in remote areas in areas such as agriculture have contributed to food sustainability. For instance, through donor funds, North Eastern Communities have adopted smart farming technologies such as green houses and use of drip irrigation systems (World Bank). Moreover, the Kenyan government continues to undertake road construction connecting remote towns to the capital providing access to ready markets. Thus, scaling up such projects can contribute to sustainable social development.

Fig 5: (A farmer in Wajir County, through adoption of climate-smart farming techniques such as planting under a greenhouse and using a drip irrigation system have helped him mitigate the scarcity of water. Tintseh/World Bank.)

Conclusion

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