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Information Technology in Africa:1Information Technology as an industry in AfricaThe IT industry in Africa is growing, attracting foreign investment and attention. Though small compared to India or China, the industry is showing promising future
Hidden behind the scenic beauty and safaris, Africa's IT industry is growing, showing a strong and promising future. Today we are going to discuss the IT industry in Africa, focusing on the industry's prospects in South Africa. South Africa is leading the African continent in IT and related business. The nation's infrastructure, international exposure and talent pool - more competitive than other nations in Africa - has provided an edge. Being more culturally aligned to the West, in comparison to India or other South Asian nations, South Africa is coming up as location for English-based services outsourcing. As costs in India and China are rising, South Africa can establish itself as a preferred location, if it is able to keep the costs down and strengthen its position in technical competence. It is a sign of growing interest and faith in the IT industry that in South Africa IT businesses and associations have organized themselves and formed Information Industry South Africa (IISA). The association of associations aims to facilitate development of the IT industry in South Africa and communication between the industry's stakeholders. For more on IISA, please visit their home page According to the information distributed by the Bureau of Inter-national Information Programs, U.S. Department of State, "The Cisco Networking Alliance, for example, has partnered with 25 African countries to establish information technology (IT) training academies at 75 institutions throughout the continent. According to tracking data from those academies, 77 percent of their graduates have found jobs in a field that can help accelerate the growth of the IT industry in Africa and provide a critical tool for economic development."(www.state.gov). This kind of partnership and alliances are important and aid the development of the IT industry in many more ways than just the obvious. The name Cisco and its brand loyalty, the network of industrialists and influential that it has and also the media attention it attracts are the other benefits of this kind of partnership. If we look at the development of the IT industry in India, the nation was able to attract interest and investment thought the help of a large number of Indian engineers working in the Silicon Valley and also the academics in major universities. Growing alliance of Africa with major forces in industry and large number of African students in USA and Europe can do the same for the continent. Continued here.
The copyright of the article Information Technology in Africa:1 in International Trade is owned by Bhumika Ghimire. Permission to republish Information Technology in Africa:1 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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