Lukovi Seke, Principal Programme Officer at the African Science Technology and Innovation Indicators (ASTII), has emphasised the need for the continent to simultaneously navigate both the Fourth and Fifth Industrial Revolutions.
This approach is essential for Africa to remain globally competitive and inclusive.
Speaking to Channel Africa on the sidelines of the T20 Africa High-Level Dialogue held in Pretoria, Seke underscored the importance of building advanced technological capabilities that not only connect smart devices but also foster meaningful human-machine interaction.
“We are moving within a knowledge-based and innovation-led economy,” he said. “The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is about interconnecting technologies, while the Fifth Industrial Revolution (5IR) is about enabling humans to collaborate with machines.”
He stressed that such a transition requires high-level expertise and cannot be achieved through basic education alone. “We need to empower people with the knowledge and capabilities to participate meaningfully in the digital transformation era,” he said.
Seke also clarified common misconceptions, noting that digital transformation is broader than just artificial intelligence (AI).
“AI only comes into play when there's big data that the human brain cannot handle. But digital transformation involves much more, from digitising manufacturing processes to modernising service delivery in both public and private sectors,” he explained.
Addressing disparities across the continent, Seke pointed out that internet access and digital infrastructure remain major barriers to progress. “We must acknowledge that 33 out of the 45 least developed countries in the world are in Africa,” he said. “So, while South Africa may be making strides, the same cannot be assumed for countries like Malawi or Nigeria without collective effort.”
He called for regional co-operation, guided by the spirit of Ubuntu, to ensure all African nations benefit from global development initiatives such as the G20. “Through trilateral development cooperation and partnerships in research, innovation, and education, Africa can present a united voice and ensure equitable digital progress across the continent,” Seke concluded.
--ChannelAfrica--
