Digital Ecosystems

When you think of the term ecosystem you probably think about nature and how organisms relate with their environment. Digital ecosystems work in a similar manner. It describes a network of people who interact digitally to create value for all. Eunice Baguma Ball, author, founder and Tech-trailblazer, is a digital ecosystem enabler in the African continent.

Based in London as head of programmes at Africa Technology Business Network (ATBN), Eunice works on connecting and enabling knowledge-sharing between African digital ecosystem stakeholders and global actors, and catalysing cross-sector collaboration to unlock inclusive digital growth opportunities in Africa. For instance, through the European Union funded AfriConEU project, together with 11 other organizations, ATBN is currently supporting digital innovation hubs in 4 African countries to strengthen their entrepreneurs and local ecosystems, capacity building, identification of gaps and map their impact.

Gender and Tech

Growing up in Uganda, East Africa, and having graduated with an engineering degree, Eunice developed a keen interest in the rise of FinTech and its possibilities for development in Africa. From her personal experience, she also recognized that the underrepresentation of women in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) – representing only slightly more than 35% of the world’s graduates, and even less in the workplace – is limiting the potential for technology to make a real impact on the continent. She wanted to contribute to changing this statistic.

In 2018, Eunice published Founding Women a book that highlights success stories about African women in tech. Some of these women include Rebecca Enonchang (Cameroon), Lilian Makoi (Tanzania) and Hilda Moraa (Kenya). Her research on gender biases in the field of technology also revealed deep rooted gender predispositions in the industry which focus on fixing women for tech rather than fixing the tech culture, capital and ecosystem to accommodate women.

The pandemic and its effect on the digital sector

‘The coronavirus pandemic not only highlighted the significance of technology, but also the digital gender divide and the gap in digital literacy, accessibility and affordability of technological solutions for the people who need them,’ Says Eunice Baguma Ball.

Other challenges in the digital ecosystem tech space that have been magnified by the coronavirus pandemic include lack of funding and expertise for tech start-ups, including skill sets in finances for tech, digital marketing, growth hacking and balancing mission versus impact.

Predictions about the future

Looking at the tech space in Africa and the opportunities that have been brought to the fore during the pandemic, Eunice sees an increase in innovations related to FinTech, AgriTech, e-commerce, HealthTech and EduTech products on the continent. She also hopes to see a future where African women are recognised and better supported as innovators and leaders of the next digital revolution in Africa.

Contacts

Eunice Baguma Ball can be reached on LinkedIn: Eunice Baguma Ball and Twitter @eb_ball