I’m particularly in agreement with his belief that Africans are responsible for making Africa better. It’s up to those educated techies in the diaspora to apply their years of experience to solving Africa’s technological problems. Many of these technological problems, once solved, will likely solve a number of economic and social issues as well (my opinion).

My favorite part is where he says: “I think that smart computer science students around the world should be looking at the developing world for challenges to address” because it’s clear he’s speaking from the idea of: if they know what’s good for them and not so much from the perspective of what’s good for the developing world. Both are true of course.

I would really like to hear if you have any thoughts from a professional perspective here in the US about how your interest in the “really interesting” problems from your African perspectives play in your development of solutions here. It’s about moving from the edge to the center, I guess. Well, that didn’t come out right, but in my mind you’re African Digerati in the same way Ethan Zuckerman is.

Thanks for this great series. Thanks for your “must read” blog!

When he says, “I’m inspired by people who have big ideas and are able to make them real. There are far more great ideas in the world than there are people who are able to bring them to fruition. It’s not enough to have a brilliant and worldchanging insight – unless you can take steps towards making that idea real. That might mean building a company, building an NGO, or writing and advocating for your idea.”

I think we in Africa need to keep doing this. The ones who have the influence and power should probably create incubators that allow those with executable ideas which are already in the process of growth to have a chance at developing these ideas.

The continent is waking up and I think it will be beautiful to see what we will give birth to.