IBM Launches Africa Initiative

IBM has launched its first-ever public ThinkPlace Challenge, a three-week open forum designed to foster global collaboration on innovation opportunities and economic development issues facing the African continent.

The top ideas generated through the ThinkPlace Challenge will help shape the agenda for IBM's upcoming Global Innovation Outlook (GIO) focus on Africa, and provide longer-term input for IBM's World Development Initiative (WDI).

The GIO brings together more than 150 global leaders for a series of conferences in seven major markets around the world. These GIO sessions are designed to surface actionable policy issues, investment strategies, business models, and technology priorities related to innovation and economic development in the region. In a related effort, IBM recently launched the WDI to advance sustainable, scalable technology solutions that will foster business development in emerging markets at the so-called "base of the pyramid."

Unlike many initiatives focused on Africa, neither the GIO nor the ThinkPlace Challenge will focus on philanthropic programs or charitable aid programs. Instead, the dialogue will emphasize how collaborative innovation and new business models enabled by information technology can help advance the African economy.

Among the questions these programs will explore:

• How can global businesses best partner with local enterprises, universities and governments to build a better platform for economic growth and competitiveness?
• What policy initiatives, infrastructure investments and development programs can advance Africa's participation in the global economy?
• What specific opportunities are present in developing infrastructure for IT, communications, water and energy? What roles should micro-finance and lending play?

In making ThinkPlace accessible to the public, IBM is inviting clients, partners, developers, and students worldwide to participate in discussions about social, business and technology issues such as those addressed by the GIO process. In accordance with open collaboration principles, all content submitted during the ThinkPlace Challenge will be available for any participant to use and build upon.

Posted by Jon Erickson at 02:49 PM  Permalink

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