The Founder of Beyond Limits Africa and former Director at Google West Africa, Dr. Juliet Ehimuan, has emphasised the significance of the Digital Innovation and Creative Excellence (DICE) Mixer.
The DICE mixer aims to propel technological revolution in Africa, bringing together leaders, innovators, startups, and creatives to push the boundaries of digital transformation and collaborative innovation.
Dr. Ehimuan shared her insights in an interview on the need to build communities in the African technology ecosystem.
She shed light on the inspiration behind the DICE Mixer, explaining that it is a strategic initiative by Beyond Limits to foster a community of knowledge, experience sharing, and collaboration. The African tech space has witnessed significant progress, but much of it occurs in isolated circles. The DICE Mixer serves as a dedicated gathering point, encouraging stakeholders from Nigeria and across Africa to connect, exchange ideas, and establish impactful partnerships.
The inaugural DICE Mixer showcased the potential of Africa’s tech landscape, featuring diverse participants, from startup founders to industry veterans. Stakeholders from the tech ecosystem, creative space, government, and the broader business community engaged in panel discussions, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities.
Beyond Limits sees DICE as more than a platform for starting conversations; it is a place where ideas can be cultivated into practical solutions, and collaborations initiated to tackle pressing technological challenges.
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Solving for Africa: Beyond Limits’ Mission and the DICE Theme
The theme of the event, ‘Solve for Africa,’ aligns with Beyond Limits’ mission. Dr. Ehimuan explained that solving for Africa means developing tools and strategies that unleash the continent’s talent and rich heritage to the world. It involves harnessing technology to unlock the potential of Africa’s young, dynamic, and vibrant population, enabling them to excel in the global economy.
The theme underscores the critical role technology will play in driving economic growth, fostering good governance, and enhancing the quality of life across the continent. It emphasises the necessity of customising technology to address Africa’s unique challenges, tailoring solutions to fit the specific nuances of the market.
Beyond Limits is actively contributing to this mission through initiatives like the Beyond Limits Fellowship, providing training and mentoring for startups across five African countries, granting them access to networks and support.
Challenges in Africa’s Digital Economy and the Role of Technology in the Next Decade
Dr. Ehimuan highlighted critical challenges in Africa’s digital economy, including limited market access, inadequate infrastructure, and the need for comprehensive skill development. She stressed the importance of collaboration among government agencies, the private sector, and industry experts to address these challenges effectively.
Looking ahead, Dr. Ehimuan sees technology playing a transformative role in Africa, acting as a catalyst for change across sectors. Anticipated advancements include job creation, enhanced financial access, streamlined government service delivery, improved healthcare through telemedicine, and world-class educational resources accessible via mobile devices.
She emphasised the need for collaboration and partnerships to expedite Africa’s transition into the digital age, ensuring technology’s benefits are widespread and inclusive.
Envisioning Africa’s Digital Landscape in the Next Decade
Dr. Ehimuan believes that this decade is Africa’s decade, dependent on how effectively technology is leveraged for economic growth, governance, and improving quality of life. Emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence must be embraced to revolutionise industries, drive efficiency, and unlock new opportunities for growth and innovation.
Through initiatives like DICE, Beyond Limits aims to create a platform for discussions, solutions, and collaborations to move Africa forward in the digital era. Dr. Ehimuan emphasised the importance of networking, vision, conviction, and follow-through action for young tech enthusiasts and entrepreneurs embarking on their journey to solve African challenges.