Recently, the World Bank released its World Development Report for 2021. Its focus is on bringing better data connectivity to Africa. Why data and why Africa? Let’s look at the second question first.
Africa is massive, is full of resources, has been inhabited longer than any other continent, various parts of it have been the seat of major civilizations or been ruled by the most powerful empires on the planet. Yet, it remains a technological backwater and is the least digitally connected continent (well, except Antarctica. The penguins don’t need wifi). The reasons for that are so many and various that one could write volumes on the subject. For our purposes here, we’ll just point out that they lack the needed infrastructure, and in many places the social stability needed to develop that infrastructure in the first place.
As for the first question, the World Bank rightly recognizes that data is important, that it underlies everything done in the modern world. Digitally connected data is how most companies, governments and even individuals make decisions in the modern world. Without reliable, truthful data, necessary decisions are either not made at all or are made poorly. Therefore, improving the quality of life for modern Africans means improving their ability to make use of data.
Unfortunately, the World Bank has forgotten something important – they’ve forgotten that you can’t just drop a bunch of smartphones in people’s laps and expect things to happen. People also need to be educated on the worth and usage of that technology. Even in Western countries with excellent connectivity and established education systems, most people don’t really recognize the value of the super computer they carry around in their pockets. Too often, it’s nothing more than a way to send texts and play Candy Crush. Think of it this way, if someone hands the average IT guy a hammer and says “build me a house” it probably will not turn out well. He doesn’t have the necessary education and experience to be able to do that. Or hand the average carpenter a box of circuit boards and tell him to build a computer. Again, not going to go well at all.
Sadly, this is a tale at least as old as the colonial period. Often, when the developed world goes into an undeveloped area, they simply try to wedge their systems into place in a culture where it just doesn’t work. Just think of all the nation building experiments of the 1980s and ‘90s. At best, this is just handing someone a fish and assuming that they will figure out how to fish. Even if the locals are more directly involved in the infrastructure projects – teaching them to fish – they are far too often left without any understanding of why these things matter.
Naturally, these projects are generally well-intentioned. The hope is that by improving physical and digital infrastructure, the economy will grow and bring the standard of living and quality of life up along with it. And of course, that is how things work, assuming that people understand the value of what they are being asked to do in the first place.
It is great that the World Bank truly recognizes the value of data. Data underlies every decision made in the modern world. It represents people expressing themselves and their interactions with others and the world around them. The only problem is that they are still taking an outside-in approach to everything. They are coming into these areas and saying, “this is how we will help you,” instead of asking, “how can we help you?”.
That distinction is crucial, and it is what separates TARTLE from other technology companies. Instead of trying to impose our own solutions – however well intentioned – we are going to individuals and asking how we can help, and putting the choices in their hands. That approach is truly what is needed. It directly involves individuals and communities in the important decisions being made. By doing so, we can ensure that we are helping people in ways that matter to them, and doing it in ways that won’t inadvertently destroy important aspects of cultures we aren’t a part of and don’t fully understand.
That is what separates TARTLE, we don’t look at data as a mere commodity, we see at as an expression of humanity.
What’s your data worth?
