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The Greening of African Technology

When it comes to fighting climate change – from which Africa will suffer disproportionately – the focus is often on technological innovation. But we must also remember the fundamental ideas and skills that have been around for millennia: how to think for the long term and how to work together.

JOHANNESBURG – Technological innovation offers Africa huge possibilities. That is why I joined Africa’s movers and shakers last week at a meeting of the World Economic Forum in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda. We were there to discuss how the digital economy can propel the kind of radical change the continent needs.

At the same time, though, we had to think about some old tools that our ancestors passed down to us – namely, how to think for the long term and how to work together. These tools are a form of technology that we need to use now, so that future generations have a chance.

Climate change is the ultimate test of whether we can use the old and new technologies to safeguard our children’s future.

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