Author Archive:

XO Tablet Hands On Review: Wow, OLPC Finally Got It Right!

XO Tablet Hands On Review: Wow, OLPC Finally Got It Right!

Published on: Aug 09 2013 by Wayan Vota - 9 Comments
When the XO-1 Laptop first came out in 2006, I was in awe of the hardware innovations. From bunny ears for better WiFi to a hardened swivel-screen top, to its...
The Sneakernet Reality of Big Data in Africa

The Sneakernet Reality of Big Data in Africa

Published on: Aug 05 2013 by Wayan Vota - 14 Comments
When I hear people talking about “big data” in the developing world, I always picture the school administrator I met in Tanzania and the reality...
Your Chance to Help Out at TechCamp Nairobi with US State Department

Your Chance to Help Out at TechCamp Nairobi with US State Department

Published on: Jul 29 2013 by Wayan Vota - 6 Comments
The U.S. State Department is organizing a TechCamp in Kenya in early September, focused on health solutions. This will be a regional East Africa TechCamp, including...
A 20 Percent Tax on Mobile Phones: What is Ghana’s Parliament Thinking?

A 20 Percent Tax on Mobile Phones: What is Ghana’s Parliament Thinking?

Published on: Jul 26 2013 by Wayan Vota - 2 Comments
I am not Ghanian. I do not live in Ghana. So maybe I am missing something obvious. But I am very confused as to why Ghana’s Parliament passed a bill to re-impose...
Worldreader Kits: eBooks in a Box for Hungry Young Minds

Worldreader Kits: eBooks in a Box for Hungry Young Minds

Published on: Jul 22 2013 by Wayan Vota - 10 Comments
Worldreader is one of my favorite organizations. They truly understand the needs of teachers and students in schools across Africa and work hard to bring relevant,...
How Can Mobile Services Improve Youth Employment Opportunities?

How Can Mobile Services Improve Youth Employment Opportunities?

Published on: Jul 01 2013 by Wayan Vota - 3 Comments
According to the UN, there are 75 million unemployed youth globally, making youth unemployment one of the biggest challenges for both developing and developed...
How Can Digital Marketing Improve East African Development Outcomes?

How Can Digital Marketing Improve East African Development Outcomes?

Published on: Jun 28 2013 by Wayan Vota - Comments Off on How Can Digital Marketing Improve East African Development Outcomes?
More and more East Africans are going online every day. Many of these new netizens are also key development actors – from the wealthy and connected who can...
RSVP Now to Debate MOOCs Impact in the Developing World

RSVP Now to Debate MOOCs Impact in the Developing World

Published on: Jun 17 2013 by Wayan Vota - Comments Off on RSVP Now to Debate MOOCs Impact in the Developing World
Stanford, Harvard, MIT, and many more top name universities are launching Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) to hundreds, and hundred of thousands of students....
Two Reasons Why Software as a Service Is a Bad Business Model

Two Reasons Why Software as a Service Is a Bad Business Model

Published on: Jun 07 2013 by Wayan Vota - 12 Comments
Looking around the tech world and you would think Software as a Service (SaaS) is a godsend. All the cool Google services (search, GMail, Docs) are SaaS and the...
RSVP Now for Africa Gathering London on June 21-22

RSVP Now for Africa Gathering London on June 21-22

Published on: Jun 05 2013 by Wayan Vota - Comments Off on RSVP Now for Africa Gathering London on June 21-22
Africa Gathering celebrates its fifth anniversary with a conference showcasing the role of African women in the technology sector in Africa, hosted by the BBC Africa...