# The Rise of the African Silicon Valley

*Examining the Growth of Technology and Innovation in Rwanda and Kenya*

By [Marathon Macro](https://paragraph.com/@marathon-macro) · 2023-02-02

macro thoughts, kenya, rwanda, african, silicon valley

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[![](https://paragraph.xyz/editor/youtube/play.png)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2K9qP40aOP0)

In recent years, countries like Rwanda and Kenya have taken steps to attract foreign investment and promote a business-friendly environment. The technology sector in particular has seen significant growth, with a growing pool of skilled and competitive coders, and several Silicon Valley firms setting up operations in the region.

A Look at Population Growth and Economic Development
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The African continent is home to a rapidly growing population and a growing middle class, which presents significant opportunities for investment in various sectors such as infrastructure, agriculture, and consumer goods. Understanding the facts and statistics of this can help businesses and investors make informed decisions.

According to the United Nations, Africa's population is projected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050 and 4.4 billion by 2100. The continent's population is also relatively young, with around 60% of the population below the age of 25. This young population presents an opportunity for education and technology sectors.

[**Africa's middle class**](https://flight.beehiiv.net/v2/clicks/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5tY2tpbnNleS5jb20vaW5kdXN0cmllcy9jb25zdW1lci1wYWNrYWdlZC1nb29kcy9vdXItaW5zaWdodHMvYWZyaWNhcy1jb25zdW1lci1mcm9udGllci13aHktdGhlLWZ1dHVyZS1pcy1icmlnaHQiLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoiZjA5OTY0ZGYtOTEzNC00MjQ3LWFmZGEtNjg2MmI2OThkMjdjIiwicHVibGljYXRpb25faWQiOiJiMDliODFjMi1mNjk0LTQyYzktYjU5OS02MzRjMGFkZGYyMWIiLCJ2aXNpdF90b2tlbiI6Ijg0ZDFlY2MwLWZmMjAtNDQzMS04MWYyLWFjMzA4NGJhOWU3YyIsImlhdCI6MTY3NTMyOTAxMi41NjIsImlzcyI6Im9yY2hpZCJ9.ESkcIaiEGBC9OOhwYwwWFsxuoLC5dYnpbKvrinNnBNk) is also growing, with estimates suggesting that it will reach [**1.1 billion by 2060**](https://flight.beehiiv.net/v2/clicks/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3BvcHVsYXRpb24udW4ub3JnL3dwcC9QdWJsaWNhdGlvbnMvRmlsZXMvV1BQMjAxOV9Qb3B1bGF0aW9uQnlBZ2VTZXhfTWVkaXVtLnBkZiIsInBvc3RfaWQiOiJmMDk5NjRkZi05MTM0LTQyNDctYWZkYS02ODYyYjY5OGQyN2MiLCJwdWJsaWNhdGlvbl9pZCI6ImIwOWI4MWMyLWY2OTQtNDJjOS1iNTk5LTYzNGMwYWRkZjIxYiIsInZpc2l0X3Rva2VuIjoiODRkMWVjYzAtZmYyMC00NDMxLTgxZjItYWMzMDg0YmE5ZTdjIiwiaWF0IjoxNjc1MzI5MDEyLjU2MiwiaXNzIjoib3JjaGlkIn0.VaiILhJa8p7iV6VLG_r_nV3o76-eiuIeCdHQoAhJO_c). This presents a significant opportunity for consumer-oriented businesses to tap into this market.

The agriculture sector in Africa has significant potential for growth, with the continent having around 60% of the world's uncultivated arable land. However, the sector currently only accounts for around 25% of the continent's GDP. Investing in this sector can help increase food security and create jobs.

Similarly, the infrastructure sector in Africa is also in need of significant investment, with estimates suggesting that around $130 billion per year is needed to meet the continent's infrastructure needs. This includes transport, energy, and communication infrastructure.

![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/4b94d41d4caf5f47361727c4e230b3ad.png)

Rwanda: The Rising Tech Hub of Africa
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Rwanda in particular has become known as the "**Singapore of Africa**" for its focus on economic development, good governance and anti-corruption measures. The country's success in creating a conducive environment for business and technology has attracted attention globally, and it is positioning itself as a leader in technology and innovation in Africa.

In recent years, Rwanda has been positioning itself as a leader in technology and innovation in Africa, earning the nickname "Singapore of Africa" for its focus on economic development, good governance, and anti-corruption measures. The country's success in creating a conducive environment for business and technology has attracted attention globally.

Rwanda's economic growth has been impressive, with the country's GDP growing by an average of 8% per year between 2001 and 2018. Additionally, the country has achieved a [**high level of poverty reduction,**](https://flight.beehiiv.net/v2/clicks/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2JvcmdlbnByb2plY3Qub3JnL2ltcHJvdmVtZW50cy1pbi1yd2FuZGEvIiwicG9zdF9pZCI6ImYwOTk2NGRmLTkxMzQtNDI0Ny1hZmRhLTY4NjJiNjk4ZDI3YyIsInB1YmxpY2F0aW9uX2lkIjoiYjA5YjgxYzItZjY5NC00MmM5LWI1OTktNjM0YzBhZGRmMjFiIiwidmlzaXRfdG9rZW4iOiI4NGQxZWNjMC1mZjIwLTQ0MzEtODFmMi1hYzMwODRiYTllN2MiLCJpYXQiOjE2NzUzMjkwMTIuNTYyLCJpc3MiOiJvcmNoaWQifQ.oI6-TtJE5Ktki4yl3ZMQ5nL8sd9KLe4KLFT1_270M-c) with the poverty rate falling from 58% in 2000 to 39% in 2016.

Good governance and anti-corruption measures have also been a priority for Rwanda, as demonstrated by its ranking on Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index. In 2017, Rwanda was ranked as the third-least corrupt country in Sub-Saharan Africa and 48th out of 180 countries globally. The business environment in Rwanda has also been improved significantly, as evidenced by the World Bank's Doing Business report, which ranked Rwanda as the second-easiest place to do business in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2020.The technology sector in Rwanda has seen significant growth, with the country setting a goal of becoming a middle-income country by 2020 through the development of a knowledge-based economy. Rwanda has also become a hub for technology start-ups in Africa, with several Silicon Valley firms setting up operations in the country. It is also home to the largest and most creative pool of coders, probably anywhere in the world now.

![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/c164bbdf3e5c96bc5fddb5c67b61de77.png)

Building a Tech Hub: Kenya's Konza Technology City
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It's worth noting that the Kenyan government has also been promoting the development of technology parks and incubation centers to support the growth of the technology sector. This includes the establishment of the Konza Technopolis Development Authority (KoTDA) in 2008, a government-owned entity responsible for the development of the **Konza Technology City**, a technology hub that aims to attract local and international technology companies, research institutions, and universities. Additionally, the government has also established several incubation centers such as the iHub and Nailab to support the growth of start-ups and SMEs in the technology sector.

The technology sector in Kenya has also been a key driver of job creation in the country, creating around 100,000 jobs in 2019 alone. Furthermore, the Kenyan government has been promoting the development of an ecosystem that encourages innovation and entrepreneurship to support the growth of the technology sector. This includes initiatives such as the Presidential Digital Talent Program, which aims to train 100,000 young Kenyans in digital skills, and the Kenya Innovation Fund, which provides funding to innovative start-ups and SMEs.

![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/1d7481b7dc5f18b373251adf6d7ddfeb.png)

Breaking China's Grip: America's Push for Investment and Development in Africa
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In recent years, China has been making significant investments in Africa, providing aid and loans to countries on the continent. Meanwhile, the United States has been increasing its efforts to break China's hold on African countries by stepping up its overtures to the continent. This is being done by providing investment opportunities and infrastructure development as well as increasing diplomatic efforts to entice African countries away from financial and resource ties to China.

One of the key ways that the US is trying to break China's hold on African countries is by providing investment opportunities in infrastructure, metals for electric vehicle batteries, and renewable power. [**US Treasury Secretary, Janet Yellen, recently began a 10-day tour of three African countries: Senegal, Zambia, and South Africa**](https://flight.beehiiv.net/v2/clicks/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy52b2FuZXdzLmNvbS9hL3VzLXRyZWFzdXJ5LXNlY3JldGFyeS15ZWxsZW4ta2lja3Mtb2ZmLWFmcmljYS10b3VyLWluLXNlbmVnYWwtLzY5MjcxMjUuaHRtbCIsInBvc3RfaWQiOiJmMDk5NjRkZi05MTM0LTQyNDctYWZkYS02ODYyYjY5OGQyN2MiLCJwdWJsaWNhdGlvbl9pZCI6ImIwOWI4MWMyLWY2OTQtNDJjOS1iNTk5LTYzNGMwYWRkZjIxYiIsInZpc2l0X3Rva2VuIjoiODRkMWVjYzAtZmYyMC00NDMxLTgxZjItYWMzMDg0YmE5ZTdjIiwiaWF0IjoxNjc1MzI5MDEyLjU2MiwiaXNzIjoib3JjaGlkIn0.bdQ5CgD5uIiPPUh8OsugG7NN7C7cxmqUkf2sYV-clkQ)**,** to discuss these opportunities and to persuade these countries to take a more robust line against Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The US is also providing aid and loans to African countries through initiatives such as the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) to support economic growth and development. Additionally, the US is promoting private sector investment in the continent to create jobs and increase economic opportunities for the people of Africa. Furthermore, the Biden administration has stepped up engagement, hosting more than [**40 leaders at a US-Africa summit in December in Washington, the first in eight years.**](https://flight.beehiiv.net/v2/clicks/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2FzaWEubmlra2VpLmNvbS9Qb2xpdGljcy9JbnRlcm5hdGlvbmFsLXJlbGF0aW9ucy9VLlMuLXN0cnVnZ2xlcy10by1sdXJlLUFmcmljYW4tbmF0aW9ucy1vdmVyLWZyb20tQ2hpbmEiLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoiZjA5OTY0ZGYtOTEzNC00MjQ3LWFmZGEtNjg2MmI2OThkMjdjIiwicHVibGljYXRpb25faWQiOiJiMDliODFjMi1mNjk0LTQyYzktYjU5OS02MzRjMGFkZGYyMWIiLCJ2aXNpdF90b2tlbiI6Ijg0ZDFlY2MwLWZmMjAtNDQzMS04MWYyLWFjMzA4NGJhOWU3YyIsImlhdCI6MTY3NTMyOTAxMi41NjIsImlzcyI6Im9yY2hpZCJ9.oqklEoSUlTyjnEkniU_9cqfvClGhK57wJd9eupzDdG4) The US made investment pledges worth $55bn over three years and backed the idea of the African Union joining the G20 permanently.

Africa presents a significant opportunity for investment in various sectors such as infrastructure, agriculture, and consumer goods. Countries like Rwanda and Kenya have taken steps to attract foreign investment and promote a business-friendly environment, particularly in the technology sector. With a growing population and middle class, Africa has the potential to become a major player in the global economy. However, it is important to conduct thorough research and due diligence before making any investment decisions as the continent is diverse and each country has its own opportunities and challenges. As we can see, Rwanda and Kenya are positioning themselves as leaders in technology and innovation in Africa, which is a promising sign for the future of the continent.

![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/f95159fe96304371fe1c08e237722a40.jpg)

_Source: 2019 African Tech Venture Capital Report_

The Growth of Investment in Africa's Technology Sector
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One of the key drivers of this growth in the technology sector is the growing interest in investing in Africa. According to a report by Disrupt Africa, a technology and start-up news and research company, the African technology start-up sector raised [**$1.35 billion**](https://flight.beehiiv.net/v2/clicks/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3RlY2hjcnVuY2guY29tLzIwMjAvMDMvMDQvZGlkLWFmcmljYW4tc3RhcnR1cHMtcmFpc2UtNDk2bS0xYi1vci0yYi1pbi0yMDE5LyIsInBvc3RfaWQiOiJmMDk5NjRkZi05MTM0LTQyNDctYWZkYS02ODYyYjY5OGQyN2MiLCJwdWJsaWNhdGlvbl9pZCI6ImIwOWI4MWMyLWY2OTQtNDJjOS1iNTk5LTYzNGMwYWRkZjIxYiIsInZpc2l0X3Rva2VuIjoiODRkMWVjYzAtZmYyMC00NDMxLTgxZjItYWMzMDg0YmE5ZTdjIiwiaWF0IjoxNjc1MzI5MDEyLjU2MywiaXNzIjoib3JjaGlkIn0.hofqp0C9Q0yDJYUJePQwyW0wG7iDHbHkq9lT6pyQXbM) in funding in 2020, which is an increase of 16% compared to the previous year. This is a significant increase from the $869 million raised in 2018, and it highlights the growing interest in investing in Africa's technology sector.

In addition to this, there has been an increase in venture capital investment in the African technology sector, with a number of global venture capital firms setting up funds specifically for investing in African technology start-ups. Tech giants such as Google and Facebook have also invested in the African technology sector through initiatives such as the Google Launchpad Accelerator Africa and the Facebook Startup Station. As Africa's technology sector continues to grow and mature, we can expect to see more investment and interest in Africa in tech.

![Taiwan Tea Fields ](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/b90fc5aaa73269ed8e8fcde743915a41.png)

Putting the final touches on the newsletter during the Lunar New Year break is a well-welcomed opportunity to relax and get back into some routines I have been lax on. The time off is a chance to recharge before the next marathon of thoughts and work. Though the marathon continues, it's important to take a break and come back with a fresh perspective. As a side note, to make the newsletter more appealing, we will be adding a downloadable audio version of the newsletter, as everyone is always on the go and might not have time to take a moment to read it.

![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/d03f1b88d3283da3836a00ea4c4f5a15.png)

Taiwan Tea Fields

![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/aec104bde7157631d17739becd2480d9.png)

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*Originally published on [Marathon Macro](https://paragraph.com/@marathon-macro/the-rise-of-the-african-silicon-valley)*
