Innovation in Africa: From Imitation to Transformation
The question of innovation in Africa has long been debated, and many observers present it as a panacea. Yet, innovation should not be seen as an end in itself, but rather as the beginning of a long process — one that is patiently cultivated, refined, and guided by clear objectives.
This process must be inspired by local actors, carried by a community, and powered by multiple intelligences — connected, diverse, and deeply rooted in that other form of wealth we too often overlook: diversity itself.
Our populations living in remote areas are not all illiterate. Their intelligence and analytical capacity are far from dormant. Too often, prejudice confines initiatives and experimentation, when in truth, the beauty of experimentation lies precisely in its freedom to forge new paths, driven by passion, exploring the unknown with every step toward an emerging goal.
It is true that some communities may not fully grasp the codes of today’s consumerist world — a world that accelerates with every tick of the clock’s finest hand. This world is built on numbers and letters, but it lacks a vital sap: humanity.
For it is people who remain the truest source of happiness. These communities have their own codes — ways of living, creating, and reinventing the future from within, in an endogenous and meaningful way.
Toward an Inclusive Understanding of Innovation
In any innovation journey, we must understand that what we lack often lies in the person before us.
We must adopt an open approach, rooted in collective intelligence, and place at the heart of all reflection those very populations who are quietly redesigning the future of their daily lives.
If we truly want to build a development framework or mechanism for African populations, we must first know them better — clearly identify their needs and take into account their deepest aspirations. Only then can we place in their hands products and services that genuinely respond to their realities.
A Continent of Creative Resilience
Africa has too often been portrayed as the continent of hardship — of wars, famines, epidemics, sorrow, and despair.
Let me tell you this: Africa is undergoing a profound transformation — led by its daughters and sons, who are redefining it as the continent of creative resilience and the crossroads of possibility.
Those who refuse to change their perception still see Africa as flooded with problems. But — and this may surprise some — Africa is rich in its problems.
We must change our perspective on Africa, because the future here is far from bleak.
Innovation Rooted in African Realities
Innovation in Africa should not be measured by the technological feats it can display.
It must instead draw from the opportunities hidden within our problems, our challenges, and our differences.
African youth who think about innovation and creativity must first understand the real problems of Africans and learn to transform each problem into an opportunity.
I make a clear distinction between creativity and innovation:
- Creativity calls for a change in perception.
- Innovation strengthens our capacity to change the daily lives of our people.
I call upon all young African innovators and project leaders: change your perception of our problems.
Each one of our (many) problems is an immense opportunity waiting to bloom.
And to spread the fragrance of this opportunity, we have the digital revolution, a true blessing — but one that must align with our culture and our aspirations.
If digital technology is to serve as a tool for accelerating our development, it must be both adapted and adopted.
Innovation That Transforms Lives
Our fundamental mission is to ensure that the products and services we create in Africa, for Africans, truly transform daily life.
If you build an excellent service that does not change people’s lives, does not fit their realities, and fails to be adopted — then it is everything but innovation.
That is how we must understand innovation in Africa.
We have far too many real challenges to solve in Africa to focus on creating “the African Facebook” or “the African WhatsApp.”
Believe me — the essence lies elsewhere, and the essential is still waiting to be seized.
Florent Youzan