IoT as a Catalyst for Techno Innovation in Africa

Abstract

The Internet of Things (IoT) is among the significant disruptive technologies that are gaining interest in Africa because of their potential to create new or transform existing products and services. IoT comprises of networks of sensors and interconnected things which make it possible for the collection of a vast array of information on our environments, and this is nowadays achievable at a higher level of distinguishable detail in collected information. This paper explores how IoT can be leveraged for techno innovations in Africa. The paper aims at answering the following questions: 1) What technologies and applications are enabled by IoT 2) How can IoT be leveraged for techno-innovation in Africa and 3) What are the challenges in leveraging IoT for techno-innovation in Africa? The study is carried out through literature review. Various sources of literature that were reviewed include scientific research papers in journals and conference proceedings, and from online journals and reports. This paper takes an in-depth look at the many possibilities for techno innovation and economy offered by IoT applications as well as the challenges that these IoT applications face.