Google boss sees Nairobi as next tech hub
Google chairman Eric Schmidt (centre) is surrounded by the media after arriving at Beijing airport from North Korea earlier this month. In a blog posting, he says Nairobi has emerged as a serious tech hub and may become Africa’s leader. Photo/AFP
What you need to know:
- Stable politics, British legal system and benign climate cited as factors that attract a big share of investors
Google’s executive chairman is touting Nairobi as the potential leader of Africa’s information technology revolution.
In a blog posting about his recent visit to five Africa countries, Google chief Eric Schmidt wrote on Tuesday that “Nairobi has emerged as a serious tech hub and may become Africa’s leader.”
Mr Schmidt cited “a combination of relatively stable politics, the British legal system, and a benign climate” as factors that attract “a significant share of foreign investment.”
“If they manage to get through the upcoming March elections without significant conflict,” he added in regard to Kenya’s tech enterprises, “they will grow quickly.”
Mr Schmidt singled out M-Pesa as an example of Kenya’s tech proficiency.
“Incubators [in Nairobi] are hosting potential solutions to many problems,” he wrote, describing M-Pesa as a “mobile money solution on simple phones using SMS.”
While in Kenya last week, Mr Schmidt toured the country’s first innovation centre, the iHub.
Empowerment
He also spoke at Strathmore University about education as empowerment for young people.
Google’s Kenya subsidiary hosted a gathering in November of some 500 techies from various business sectors to discuss the role high tech will play in helping develop the country.
Mr Schmidt also stopped in Rwanda, South Sudan, Nigeria and Chad.
