abesha
October 14th, 2007, 02:50 AM
In this day and age, a business cannot be globally successful without a presence on the web. Yet, African businesses don't seem to get the hint. Even the more successful businesses don't bother having their own websites or if they do, it's very substandard.
The internet is an incredibly powerful tool that is equally accessible to everyone. Africans should at least be able to represent their nations and their businesses in a positive light.
For example, think of the image Africans and their respective nations' have in the world. It's very bad and this is mostly because of the fact that they have no representation in the Western newspapers, radios or television channels.
However, they can fight back using different means and the internet can be used as a very powerful tool.
But of course, there is a serious lack of initiative or foresight.
As said earlier, businesses don't bother building websites, and when they do, it's really substandard! Why? :bash: . Government websites are not any better, they are not inviting and are rarely updated. :ohno:
And nowhere is this truer than in Ethiopia (the source of this rant - I've been looking for information). I've really noticed how Ethiopian businesses really lag behind in this respect, even when compared with other African nations.
It's virtually impossible to find adequate information on any topic via the web on Ethiopia.
The huge majority of the information available is STILL through western sources, be it the news media or western tourists.
Africans can at least try to take control of their image on the web, with lots of recent pictures of tourist sites, entertainment venues, daily life of their peoples, etc.
How many of us have complained that it's incredibly difficult to get pictures or news on any country? I think we all have. :bash:
Africans need to wake up!
*deep breath*
Now, I'm not sure why this lethargy when it comes to technology is there. In the case of Ethiopia, it has a lot to do with the shabby, downright pitiful, internet connection. Internet is VERY slow, keeps disconnecting and is VERY expensive. Alas, this is unlikely to change anytime soon, seeing that the government is hellbent on controlling everything and having state monopolies. Even the cellphone provider is a state monopoly!!! It's pretty much one of 3 other countries in Africa to still hold on for dear life and it's really costing the people a lot.
:bash:
The internet is an incredibly powerful tool that is equally accessible to everyone. Africans should at least be able to represent their nations and their businesses in a positive light.
For example, think of the image Africans and their respective nations' have in the world. It's very bad and this is mostly because of the fact that they have no representation in the Western newspapers, radios or television channels.
However, they can fight back using different means and the internet can be used as a very powerful tool.
But of course, there is a serious lack of initiative or foresight.
As said earlier, businesses don't bother building websites, and when they do, it's really substandard! Why? :bash: . Government websites are not any better, they are not inviting and are rarely updated. :ohno:
And nowhere is this truer than in Ethiopia (the source of this rant - I've been looking for information). I've really noticed how Ethiopian businesses really lag behind in this respect, even when compared with other African nations.
It's virtually impossible to find adequate information on any topic via the web on Ethiopia.
The huge majority of the information available is STILL through western sources, be it the news media or western tourists.
Africans can at least try to take control of their image on the web, with lots of recent pictures of tourist sites, entertainment venues, daily life of their peoples, etc.
How many of us have complained that it's incredibly difficult to get pictures or news on any country? I think we all have. :bash:
Africans need to wake up!
*deep breath*
Now, I'm not sure why this lethargy when it comes to technology is there. In the case of Ethiopia, it has a lot to do with the shabby, downright pitiful, internet connection. Internet is VERY slow, keeps disconnecting and is VERY expensive. Alas, this is unlikely to change anytime soon, seeing that the government is hellbent on controlling everything and having state monopolies. Even the cellphone provider is a state monopoly!!! It's pretty much one of 3 other countries in Africa to still hold on for dear life and it's really costing the people a lot.
:bash: