Electricity and Control October 2021

INDUSTRY 4.0 + IIOT

Realistic technology adoption for Africa’s growth In this recent blog post Canninah Mapena, Managing Director of Rockwell Automation, Africa, outlines five key principles to guide the adoption of technology that can help businesses across the continent build a competitive edge.

Canninah Mapena, Managing Director, Rockwell Automation in Africa.

A frica is undoubtedly a land of abundance and potential. From its mineral resources to its rich agriculture to its youthful population, opportunities abound for the continent to boost its competitive advantage. Add to this mix the power of cutting-edge technology, and there is the potential to build thriving economies. However, while the adoption of technology in Africa is progressing in some instances, it is lagging in others. This means African businesses are not leveraging the full power of what is available to them. Why is that? We have seen throughout the pandemic how technology aids businesses in the new normal – empowering remote operations, automation and smart, connected industries. Despite this, there are still those who are sceptical of technology, for reasons ranging from the perceived steep capital investment to the learning curve of adopting new systems. Specifically in Africa, there are still perceptions that advances in automation and technology will replace the need for people. For a continent in which most countries continue to work towards increasing their economic output and creating employment opportunities, the concern around redundancy is understandable. However, I do not believe it should hold businesses back from innovation. All it does is hold businesses back in their ability to compete globally. The crux of the matter is that the efficiency and business continuity offeredby technology adoptionare key toachieving a competitive edge in today’s global business landscape. We can either oppose the development of technology and

be left behind, or start skilling our young, agile population to facilitate a smooth process of adopting technologies to meet strategic business development goals. In my opinion, this process should be driven by five key principles. ƒ Inclusive digital transformation The process needs to be inclusive of the people of Africa. Rather than being threatened by new technology, people need to be a part of the transformation. Employee buy-in is key. Equally important is a dedicated skills development programme so that human assets are recognised as increasingly valuable, rather than replaceable or optional. A digital strategy formed with the input of the people in your business team is key for a successful move to the connected enterprise. ƒ Innovation aligned to strategy Innovation for innovation’s sake should be avoided. African businesses need to think carefully about what technologies to implement, and why, and avoid investing in systems they don’t need – there is no value in investing capital with no gain for productivity. ƒ Improving the wheel, not reinventing it Technology adoption must be aligned with a business’s existing business model. The idea is not to bring in technology to create all-new processes and operating models, but rather to augment and supplement existing processes to improve output and optimise resources (including human resources). If business leaders are not sure what their business needs to be doing, they need to go back to the drawing board and find clarity before they start considering a big technology move. ƒ Security front and centre Many African businesses have been eager to embrace digital and mobile technology, but in some cases the importance of cybersecurity has been overlooked. As businesses increasingly move to the cloud and other technologies to support remote capabilities, cybersecurity systems must be prioritised to protect and improve business continuity. ƒ Personal interactions remain key In the melting pot of African culture, we love personal face-to-face interactions. While this has been tough in the

Technology is key to achieving a competitive edge in today’s global business landscape.

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4 Electricity + Control OCTOBER 2021