How countries can leverage democratisation of technology for development

David Saruni an undergraduate Computer Science student at Kabarak University demonstrating how Mama's hub app works during an interview at the University. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

Technology is an important factor in global development. Development is a core issue for the Global South, many of whose members are being left behind in achieving their Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The key factors behind this unequal state of affairs are technology, finance and information.

Thomas Friedman has argued, that the era of globalisation has been characterised by the democratisation of technology, finance and information (The World is Flat, 2004). However, with the pace of globalisation slowing down, particularly since the Covid-19 pandemic, the democratisation of technology too has taken a hit.