By Prince Osuagwu

Africa may have adopted new technologies like big data, cloud computing and others late, but there are growing indications that these technologies however would form the pillar of development in the continent’s ICT activities.

That was the conclusion drawn from two studies released by global advisory services firm International Data Corporation, IDC recently.

The studies identified enterprise mobility as the main IT services investment priority for South African CIOs, and pinpointed business continuity/disaster recovery, BC/DR as the key focus area for their counterparts in East and West Africa.

According to IDC, countries such as Kenya, Ghana, Rwanda, Tanzania, South Africa, and Nigeria, are making considerable investments in ICT infrastructure, presenting attractive opportunities for IT service providers in the process.

IDC’s research manager for software and IT services in Africa, Lise Hagen said that “IDC believes that many of the African initiatives and growth opportunities rely heavily on the rollout of innovative technologies across the continent, Access to communications infrastructure and services has boosted economic opportunities across Africa, and, although late in adopting 3rd Platform technologies like mobile, cloud, big data, and social media, African CIOs are considering such technologies to enable further development across the continent.”

Hagen added that “ Savvy African CIOs are making informed decisions around technologies that will address issues pertinent to their markets. And as African organizations evolve, IT services providers must work to keep pace with the very latest technological trends, adapting them to the unique requirements of the local market while also bringing in global best practices.”