BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES OF TECHNOLOGY FOR BUSINESS IN AFRICA

 In this age that we live in where almost everything is more convenient and accessible due to advances in technology. This advancement in technology has affected the way business is done in major parts of the world. However our focus today will be mainly on the benefits and challenges of using technology by businesses in Africa.

Technology has increased collaboration by providing a platform to exchange ideas, save work and submit deliverable to increase the collaboration among the corporate staff that will lead to better performance and project success. The internal collaboration is an important component for organizations to mature their work processes that will lead to better services to customers. There are many tools that are available that are improving collaboration from social networking options for the enterprise to collaboration software to manage the lifestyles of deliverable to customers

In a farming community in Kenya where farmers grow maize, three individuals came up with mobile apps that provide farmers real time update on prices of their produce. This has eliminated the situation where farmers had to deal ignorantly with middlemen who normally quote prices way below the producer prices. With this technology, farmers can conveniently simply take their mobile phone and input the quantity of maize harvested and know immediately the amount that they will be earning for their produce. This can also conveniently help farmers by coming together and allow producers to bid for their produce thereby being able to get more value for their products. The introduction of this app according to a World Bank research has increased farmers revenue from between 16.5% and 36% in Kenya and 10% in Ghana where similar apps have also being used.

Another benefit of technology to businesses in Africa is changing the way small scale businesses operate. For instance is the delivery services. With a click of the mouse button an item can be purchased and delivered right at your door steps saving a lot of time. However despite this convenience, there is the possibility of getting the wrong brand of item purchased online and also being supplied with a fake. This is the case of HP products where evidence showed that most of its products that have being shipped into Africa were never produced in their factories. Quite a few months ago, a whole ship load of fake HP printers were impounded at the Tema Port in Ghana. So despite the benefits technology has brought to the commerce and delivery businesses, these challenges persist.

Another benefit of technology to businesses is in terms of functionality and flexibility. Technology has helped improve infrastructural performance thus increasing functionality and the range of options that can be pursued. It can help to further create an efficient, flexible online or offline platform for transacting business with clients, suppliers and other business partners

Technology has also helped improve the performance of workers knowledge and enhance organizational learning. It can further improve knowledge workers in customers, suppliers and partners in organization; add information value to existing products and services; create new information-based products and services.

Despite these benefits the use of technology has brought with it many challenges. One challenge is connectivity challenge such as the gap in cross border inter-connection, the stimulation of demand and how to fully leverage the infrastructure that is being put in place for structural transformation. Other challenges include the challenge of security of data and affordability of developing and using technology

Connectivity is a great challenge to businesses that opt for technology in Africa. Not all areas in Africa is covered with data services especially in rural areas. Even in areas where connectivity is assured, the challenge of drop in connectivity can seriously affect the way business is done especially for e-commerce businesses.

Another great challenge is the security risk posed to data of businesses. The work of hackers and negligence of workers can harm data of businesses stored on its servers and online. This if occurred can bring business to a halt thereby leading to revenue losses.