The rise and rise of technology in the African Innovation Ecosystem
Sharon Telewa |
TEDxKassel
• October 2021
Sharon has spent her career working in technology for development and the innovation ecosystem in her home country Kenya. When she moved to Germany, she was surprised to find that some people had no idea of the technology revolution that was happening on the African continent. In her talk, she attempts to challenge the stereotypes we often hear about Africa, while sharing some examples from her own experience of how technology solutions are positively transforming lives on the continent. She also shares some ideas on what needs to be done to support young Africans as they build the future of the continent. Sharon is a Kenyan engineer, program manager and innovation enthusiast. She currently works as an innovation manager for a German company, building partnerships between the company and startups, with a focus on Africa. She is a Fellow of the Techwomen program - an initiative by the U.S. Department of State for Education and Cultural Affairs and the IIE; and the Afrika Kommt! Program - an initiative of German industry for future leaders from Africa. Sharon is the founder of the Jedimu Elimu Trust, an organisation that supports education and economic empowerment projects in the home region where she grew up - (Website www.jedimutrust.org)