BY BAMIDELE AKINWUMI
AFRICA’s economic story is far from written. While conversations about technology often centre on innovation hubs, start-ups, and futuristic ideas, the real opportunity lies in how digital tools can solve everyday problems and boost productivity across the continent. For Nigeria and other African countries, the question is not whether technology is powerful, but how it is applied, not in isolated projects, but in ways that improve real outcomes in agriculture, health, finance, and education. When digital tools are used to strengthen systems, they become engines of economic growth rather than distractions.
From Farm to Market Agriculture remains the backbone of many African economies, employing millions of smallholder farmers. Yet productivity is often low, markets are fragmented, and information is scarce.
Digital tools are already changing this dynamic in practical ways. Instead of operating in the dark, farmers are now using mobile apps to identify crop diseases simply by analysing pictures taken with a phone. Weather and satellite data are providing timely advice on exactly when to plant or harvest, while digital marketplaces allow farmers to sell directly to buyers.
By reducing reliance on middlemen, these tools are improving incomes and reducing post-harvest losses. These are not theoretical benefits; they are real improvements that allow smallholders to plan better and access markets faster, ultimately raising rural incomes and growing the wider economy.
Strengthening Health Services Healthcare delivery in many African countries faces chronic challenges, from understaffed clinics to unpredictable supplies of medicines. Here, digital systems are already helping to close the gap.
Electronic records and scheduling systems are reducing waiting times and improving care coordination. Meanwhile, simple diagnostic support tools help health workers make better decisions quickly, and digital logistics systems ensure that medicines and vaccines reach the right clinics at the right time. These improvements matter because they do not just make the system more modern; they make it more efficient and responsive, leading to better health outcomes for citizens and lower costs over time.
Finance That Includes Everyone Digital finance in Africa has already shown one clear success story: inclusion. Mobile money platforms have successfully brought banking services to millions who were previously excluded from the formal economy. However, true economic growth requires that inclusion goes beyond simple access; it must support productive activity.
To achieve this, financial systems must evolve to offer small business loans based on mobile payment histories. We need to connect savings products to specific life goals, such as paying school fees or purchasing equipment, and use data to manage risk responsibly so lenders can support more entrepreneurs. When access to finance actually helps people grow their businesses rather than just spend, it supports jobs and generates sustainable economic activity.
Education and Policy Education is another area where digital tools can make a difference, particularly where teacher shortages exist, but only if they align with local priorities. Technology must be used thoughtfully: it should align with national curriculum goals, remain affordable and accessible to communities, and be accompanied by effective teacher training.
However, technology does not grow economies on its own. Governments must create enabling environments that make it easier for digital solutions to thrive. This means developing clear rules for protecting personal data and privacy, alongside building essential digital infrastructure such as reliable internet and payment systems. Governments must also support training programmes that build local talent and create regulatory systems that encourage innovation while protecting consumers. For example, a farmer using a crop advisory app needs to trust that their data is safe, just as a small business owner needs a clear framework that protects them from unfair practices.
Focus on What Matters Most One real danger is that Africa becomes a consumer of technology created elsewhere, without building its own capacity. To avoid this, countries must support local technology companies, encourage universities to focus on African problems, and ensure foreign investment includes skills transfer.
Ultimately, the success of digital technology in Africa should not be measured by the number of start-ups or imported buzzwords. Instead, we must ask: Are farmers earning more? Are clinics operating more efficiently? Are small businesses getting the credit they need, and are students gaining the skills required to succeed? When technology delivers improvements in these areas, it becomes a real driver of economic growth, not a shiny distraction.
Africa stands at a crossroads. Digital technology can either deepen inequality and dependency, or it can help build stronger, more inclusive economies. The difference lies in how we use it: not as a slogan, but as a practical tool to strengthen the systems that matter most to ordinary citizens.
