Five 2022 Tech trends to monitor in Africa
This article looks at Five 2022 Tech trends to monitor in Africa . As the new year kicks off, the technological solutions rolling out with Africa are also likely to advance and cater to everyday challenges.
Data shows that the ongoing COVDI-19 pandemic accelerated the advancement and use of technology, especially online shopping and electronic payments.
In this list, we explore the technological solutions that will significantly impact the lives of Africans in 2022 and beyond.
1. Virtual communication and conferencing tools
Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual communication has advanced to facilitate remote working.
Going into 2022, this new form of communication will continue advancing mainly because it also cuts costs.
A report by the OECD indicates that virtual communication and conferencing tools enabled new forms of research collaboration, knowledge exchange, and training during the pandemic.
“Savings from reduced office space could also provide more resources for innovation activities but may also be used in other ways,” the report notes.
Using virtual communication and conferencing tools is expected to spill over into 2022, as companies seek to cut costs and remain effective at the same time.
2. 5G and the Internet of Things
Some African Countries Like Kenya and South Africa have introduced the 5G network already, and it will be a game-changer in 2022 and the future while Adoption of 5G network in Tanzania & Egypt for instance is still in its infant / planning stages.
According to BigThink, 5G will ultimately be 100 times faster than 4G networks, allowing more devices to connect to a network, this reducing latency significantly.
The wireless technology will provide support for the Internet of Things (IoT), which will ultimately expand the power of the internet beyond computers.
The technology will support businesses’ innovation and create new markets.
It will also transform supply chain management and create more intelligent, efficient manufacturing.
3. Biometrics : Tech trends to monitor in Africa
Biometrics, a technology that allows systems to recognize users by biological markers such as their face, voice or fingerprint, could also become a bigger deal in most African Countries in 2022. This Technology is already widely adopted in many political Elections for Voters registrations particularly and also well adopted as staff attendance systems in many companies across the continent.
According to BigThink, the technology already available on smartphones and laptops is improving and will end the password paradigm, hence improving cyber security.
The publication indicates that biometrics will offer enhanced security of sensitive data.
“Because most people have inefficient passwords, use the same one for every account, and never change them, hackers typically need only one hit to enjoy carte blanche over someone’s personal and professional data,” the publication said.
“A fingerprint is much more difficult to hack with raw computational power than a password, and that difficulty is increased by magnitudes when multiple markers are used in tandem.”
4. Drones: Tech trends to monitor in Africa
Drones have been around for quite some time, but they also became very popular at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Beatdrone, drones are changing everyday lives in various ways, including home security and telecommunications.
“Tethered drones are now used for monitoring and surveillance. They are also instrumental in places experiencing natural disasters where connectivity through phone or internet services are impossible,” the report said.
Other uses of drones include weather forecasts, delivery of packages, including medicine and animal conservation.
5. Telehealth
Telehealth is already picking up in a number of African Countries, thanks to an extra push given by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Worldwide, advanced technology has improved telehealth and healthcare administration to patients.
According to a report dubbed ‘Technological Advancement in the Era of COVID-19’, telehealth has been very effective in preventing the spread of the virus.
“The doctors can diagnose patients through the description they give via the chatbox or video conferencing and offer guidelines in real-time on what is to be done or prevented.”
These technological advancements will get bigger in 2022 throughout Africa and worldwide.
Are there others that we left out? Tell us in the comments.
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