Melinda Gates launches tech plan to reduce poverty across Africa

President Uhuru Kenyatta with Melinda Gates, co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, when she paid him a courtesy call at State House in Nairobi yesterday. PHOTO | PSCU 

In Summary

• The new technologies include the use of artificial intelligence, automation, robotics, nanotechnology among others,  which will be used to spur inclusive growth and effective governance.
• In recent years, researchers have been harnessing AI’s data-mining ability to help solve problems that could not be solved before.

By ELIZABETH MERAB
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 A new initiative aimed at promoting the use of technology to reduce poverty has been launched in Kenya.

The initiative known as Pathways for Prosperity: A new Commission on Technology and Inclusive Development, was launched yesterday by American philanthropist Melinda Gates, who was in the country for a two-day visit.

The new technologies include the use of artificial intelligence (AI), automation, robotics, nanotechnology among others,  which will be used to spur inclusive growth and effective governance.

Her visit to Kenya followed one to Burkina Faso, and is part of a rigorous agenda that is meant to inform how the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation  will invest Sh500 billion committed to Africa in 2016 over a period of five years. The new commission will find what technology can do for jobs and economic opportunities in developing countries. The commission will also investigate how emerging technologies can be harnessed for use in the poorest countries to tackle problems and enhance economic opportunities.

“Innovation can help people transform their lives, but only if they have access to it,” said Melinda Gates.

DIVERSE THINKERS

“This commission brings together diverse thinkers and doers committed to ensuring that everyone, no matter how rich or poor, can take advantage of technological innovation.”

In recent years, researchers have been harnessing AI’s data-mining ability to help solve problems that could not be solved before.

The new commission led by the Blavatnik School of Government at Oxford University in England will provide evidence and analysis, along with concrete policy recommendations, to help developing country governments navigate this rapidly evolving landscape.

During the launch, Melinda held discussions with the commission’s other two co-chairs - Sri Mulyani Indrawati who is Indonesia’s finance minister and Strive Masiyiwa, a Zimbabwean billionaire philanthropist and founder of Econet.

WORKING TOGETHER

“This commission gives us a way of working together to understand how to harness technology for good, use it to enhance opportunities for all and drive inclusive growth,” said Mr Masiyiwa.

The commission will hold meetings and events around the world over the next two years, with each event focusing on different thematic issues and countries. Some of the major areas of investment include agriculture, child health and nutrition, family planning and financial services for the poor. Between 2001 and 2016, the foundation invested more than Sh900 billion across Africa.

“We live in exciting times. The pace and scale of technological change offer big challenges and significant opportunities for developing countries,” said Sri Mulyani Indrawati.