infoDev Global Forum on Innovation and Entrepreneurship

infoDev, a global programme within the World Bank Group, hosted its 5^th global forum on innovation and entrepreneurship in East London, South Africa from  28 May to 30 May 2013. This event, which attracted over 500 international delegates (ranging from investors, entrepreneurs, policymakers, business incubators and development agencies) was a platform to showcase innovation in its different guises. Different business models, ideas and methodologies were shared.

Andile Ngcaba, Chairman of Convergence Partners, was one of the keynote speakers at the forum. His thought provoking presentation on innovation and human consciousness addressed innovation as an innate human attribute, stifled by society and various educational institutions, which do not do enough to develop this trait by encouraging curiosity. He challenged delegates to transform our education system and strive towards making it a system that promotes curiosity.

Acknowledging the influence the digital age has in the world, particularly in Africa, Andile also challenged developers to create a more language inclusive Internet environment. In other words, an environment which could ultimately accommodate over 2000 African languages and allow for an even greater number of people to nurture their curiosity through being able to access and make use of the internet.  

Further reading and a full copy of this presentation is available at www.andile.co.za