IBM GLOBAL INNOVATION OUTLOOK LAUNCHES AFRICA FOCUS FORUM ON EDUCATION, TECHNOLOGY AND BUSINESS

Until very recently, any conversation about emerging players in the global economic scene was dominated by talk of China and India. But more and more these days Africa, and its population of over 900 million, has worked its way into the global dialogue on economic opportunity. And while there are still many obstacles to be overcome, Africa is fast becoming a legitimate force in the global economy, thanks in part to an abundance of natural resources, a steadily growing economy, and some long-awaited political stability.

“I think the climate for business in Africa has never been better than it is right now,” says Dr. Tukur, Chair, NEPAD Business Group. “We are witnessing many opportunities for productive long-term investment and public-private partnerships that will facilitate and sustain economic growth and development. Africa is now being taken seriously within the global economic community and it won’t be disappointed.”

This sentiment is what led IBM’s Global Innovation Outlook to focus on sustainable long-term economic development in Africa as an area ripe for collaborative innovation. To better understand the new economic realities across Africa, IBM brought together dozens of business leaders, policy makers, and academics from around the world. Together, we explored new approaches that could effectively address the issues and opportunities of this transformation. The GIO Africa Report highlights the strongest insights from nine deep dives on the topic, held in seven different cities, Beijing, Nairobi, Dakar, Paris, Lisbon, Atlanta and Cape Town.

The key factors IBM identified as critical to Africa's future from the "deep dives" were: skills; value chain; infrastructure; wireless; informal economies; women; finance; and nongovernmental organizations. For example, there is a compelling look at the African wireless industry, which boasts unprecedented new mobile applications and services. And there is an analysis of how African industries are beginning to move up the value chain, capturing more of the total value of the continent’s vast natural resources.

ICT Platforms and Mobile Technology: The infrastructure to support land-line phones is non-existent in most of rural Africa, but that hasn’t stopped the continent from becoming a hotbed for innovation in wireless applications. Per capita access to wireless handsets is among the highest in the world in many parts of Africa, even in remote villages that lack electricity. In fact, unprecedented mobile applications like Safaricom’s mobile money transfer in Kenya are already up and running and leapfrogging so-called developed and other emerging markets.

Dr. Kevit Desai, ICT Governor of KEPSA [Kenya Private Sector Alliance] and Chair of IEEE Kenya remarks, “ ICT (Information and Communications Technology) plays a huge role in the transformation of a region and it could be based on existing simple solutions, like mobile phones, which could create an interactive media within communities, between communities, and communities and the rest of the world.

AFRICA RISING, THE FUTURE IS NOW FOCUS ON WOMEN'S EMERGING ROLE IN GLOBAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP

The role of women in the economic development of Africa is increasingly well-documented. And while there is still a long ways to go in terms of fully supporting and enabling African women in business environments, awareness is being raised and progress is being made. “African women are born entrepreneurs,” says Bola Obisi , CEO of the Global  Women Inventors and Innovators Network (GWINN). “They just don’t talk about it, they get out there and do it”. The evidence: Africa women account for more than 60 percent of the rural labor force, and contribute up to 80 percent of food production. More than 80 percent of those women are working, unregistered and unrecognized by the government in the informal sector. However changes to better recognize women’s role in Africa are underway. Priscilla Dimaktso Motlhako as CEO of Africa Khusini Holdings Ltd., is a stunning role model and was featured as an outstanding luminary at the IBM Global Innovation Outlook Africa forum.

Thirty four year old Pricilla Motlhako grew up as a South African exile in Nairobi, Kenya and upon her return in the mid 1990s, she realized the immediate new challenges and golden opportunities open in South Africa. Subsequently, Motlhako initially began employment as sales representative for a South African telephony franchise. Thereafter she  developed a franchisee herself and not just any franchisee enterprise. Soon after her diligent efforts resulted and garnered a seat among the top ten for all franchisees within that particular franchise entrepreneur system. Motlhako was ambitious and then further developed her company as a conglomerate and expansion as an events planning business to implement her repertoire of already established successful commercial ventures. Today she says, "I see Africa as a pioneer market", and announced their USD 50 million dollar telecom contract with China as her next business collaboration and global business enterprise. 

GENE TAGABAN, RENOWNED ALASKA TLINGIT RAVEN DANCER PERFORMS IN ROCHESTER

Internationally renowned Alaska Tlingit Native performance artist Gene Tagaban will display his mastery as a storyteller and regal Raven dancer in Rochester NY during the week of March 19 via the collaboration of China Millennium Council, the Native American Resource Center of the Rochester City School District and the Center for Indigenous Studies at St. John Fisher College. Tagaban will perform his cultural artistry and educational workshop programs, venues including the Native American Resource Center, the Henry Longfellow School and the Pittsford Calkins Road Middle School. He will also display his stunning "One Crazy Raven" evening show at St. John Fisher College, exhibiting his prowess and unique talents as a performance artist, musician and commentator.

Gene Tagaban’s Tlingit Native name is Guuy Yaaw. His heritage stems from Cherokee, Tlingit and Filipino ancestry. He belongs to the Tak'deintaan Raven Freshwater Sockeye clan of Hoonah, Alaska and the child of a Wooshkeetaan Eagle Shark clan or moiety of Juneau, Alaska. he has performed with NAA KA HIDI THEATRE and PERSEVERANCE THEATRE, is a founding member of RAVENS VOICE THEATER and RAVENDREAMING PRODUCTIONS. A graduate of the University of Alaska Fairbanks Alaska Native Leadership Program, Mr. Tagaban has traveled globally as an internationally accalimed musician and teacher.

Tagaban manifests his wisdom and extraordinary talent through dance, Native flute and storytelling. He began dancing when he was five years old and grew up listening to and learning the songs, dances and stories of Alaska's Tlingit people. In his "One Crazy Raven" show, Tagaban blends commentary, vision, spirit and honor. The show features song, dance, music and regalia, as Tagaban shares contemporary and traditional anecdotes. His distinguished accolades include a leading role in Sherman Alexie's award-winning Sundance Film festival entitled, THE BUSINESS OF FANCYDANCING. Gene Tagaban also participates on the Native American Olympic Ski team as a champion Xtreme skier; he has been skiing and snowboarding since the age of eleven amidst the grandeur of the Alaskan glaciers and vast mountain terrain. Snow Country will host Gene Tagaban featuring his spectacular Xtreme snow sports at Bristol Mountain in Canandaigua New York. Moreover, the Filipino American Association of Rochester will also host a cultural community event to extend a warm welcome to Gene Tagaban at St Anne's Church. Originally, Mr. Tagaban's grandfather emigrated from the Phillipines to Alaska to work in the fisheries and gold mines.

Tagaban's performances and workshops engage the imagination and connect the audience with empowerment, leadership, spirit and honor. Gene's work has been featured in PBS documentaries and educational videos. "Gene is a delight and inspiration to the human spirit." Mr. Tagaban serves as President of the Honor Foundation and also on the Honor Day Council. "Celebrating the differences while embracing the Oneness", Honor Day recognizes the many contributions made by Native American Indians. It was awakened in a traditional manner, and now serves the indigenous roots of all people. www.chinafrontier.com/genetagaban.html

SMITHSONIAN MUSEUM FEATURES PERSEVERANCE THEATRE’S  TLINGIT INSPIRED SHAKESPEARE’S MACBETH