Join us for an insightful discussion with Lucas John Omollo, Chief Manager of ICT & Smart City Solutions at Konza Technopolis, as we explore the remarkable progress Konza has made in becoming a global smart city. 🌍

In this episode of the Pure Digital Passion Podcast, we cover:

• Konza’s achievements in ICT and smart city infrastructure
• The National Data Center and smart traffic systems
• Plans for the Kenyan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)
• The future of Kenya’s digital economy and job creation
• The role of the creative economy with the upcoming Digital Media City
• The 41st IASP World Conference, hosted in Nairobi from September 24th to 27th, 2024

📅 Register for the IASP World Conference: https://www.iaspworldconference.com/register/

✈️ Kenya Airways Special Offer: Get 15% off international flights and 7% off domestic flights with promo code KONZA24. Book via the Kenya Airways website or mobile app: https://www.kenya-airways.com/en/promotions/41st-iasp-world-conference/

Earlier this week, while attending the ITW Africa Conference at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Nairobi, I had an unexpected reunion with an old friend and internet pioneer, Brian Longwe. It had been almost a decade since I last saw him, and what started as a chance encounter turned into an impromptu podcast session for Pure Digital Passion.

Brian, who is currently the CEO & Co-Founder at Converged Technology Networks, an ISP in Malawi, has been one of Africa’s most influential figures in the broadband and internet space. Over the past 30 years, he has spearheaded internet projects across more than 20 African countries.

A Humble Beginning in Nairobi

Born and raised in Nairobi, Brian had to drop out of St. Mary’s School when his family fell on hard times. Refusing to be idle, he began selling second-hand shirts in downtown Nairobi. Soon after, he found himself reselling surplus grapes imported from Tanzania, canvassing Nairobi’s upscale neighborhoods. One day, fate intervened when he knocked on the door of a family friend, who introduced him to the world of technology by teaching him how to type on a Toshiba laptop. From there, Brian’s fascination with technology blossomed, and he quickly went from selling clothes to learning computer skills that would set the stage for his career.

From Grapes to ISP Pioneering

In the early 90s, Brian’s foray into technology led him to his first tech job at Form-Net, where he became an installer of email systems. Not content with just installations, he started selling and fixing tech solutions, and soon his success drew the attention of Form-Net’s leadership. By 1996, Brian had risen to the role of technical manager, playing a pivotal role in bringing internet connectivity into Kenya.

By 1999, Brian co-founded ISP Kenya alongside some of Kenya’s leading internet visionaries. The company quickly established itself as one of the top ISPs for corporate clients, culminating in its acquisition by Wananchi Online, which helped form the Wananchi Group of Companies. Although Brian reflects on declining equity in the company as one of his biggest regrets, his influence in the region’s internet space remained undeniable.

Venturing into New Markets

After leaving ISP Kenya, Brian explored various entrepreneurial ventures, including IP telephony and forensics technology. His vast experience eventually led him to assist in setting up mobile money services in several African countries. In 2010, he became the Group CTO of MobiCash, overseeing the rollout of mobile money platforms in seven countries, a challenging but rewarding endeavor.

In recent years, Brian’s work in Africa has taken him to some of the continent’s most underserved regions. His experience establishing ISPs in Kenya, Uganda, and Malawi has given him a unique perspective on how technology can transform lives. In one of his most impactful projects, he helped set up internet-enabled containers in rural Uganda, offering young people microwork opportunities through partnerships with Silicon Valley firms like Samasource.

A Full Circle in Malawi

Today, Brian continues his work as an ISP pioneer in Malawi, one of the poorest countries in the world. Despite the challenges, he remains committed to connecting the unconnected, building infrastructure that delivers high-quality internet to underserved areas. His story is one of perseverance and vision, proving that no matter where you start, the determination to succeed can lead to extraordinary results.

As we wrapped up our conversation, Brian shared his thoughts on the future of Africa’s digital infrastructure. He believes that Africa is poised to be the next big thing in tech, with its youthful population and untapped potential. However, for the continent to truly flourish, it must cultivate its human resources by nurturing skilled, educated, and talented individuals.

In our latest episode of the Pure Digital Passion podcast, I had the pleasure of hosting two industry leaders: Mary Muthoni, Partner Manager at Zoho in Kenya, and Pavan Verma, CEO of Redian Software. Together, we delved into the exciting landscape of digital transformation in Kenya and Africa, specifically how Zoho and Redian Software are empowering businesses with customer-centric solutions.

The conversation flowed from the insights shared during a recent panel discussion on the BFSI sector that was jointly hosted by Zoho and Redian Software during the same week, but we expanded the focus to cover Zoho’s wider impact across different industries in Kenya and the East African region. Here’s a breakdown of what we discussed and the key takeaways from this enlightening session.

Zoho’s Approach to the Kenyan and African Market

Mary Muthoni provided an in-depth overview of Zoho’s journey in Kenya and Africa, explaining how the company’s focus on localization and affordability has made it a game-changer for businesses of all sizes. Zoho’s products are designed to be accessible, scalable, and tailored to the specific needs of African businesses. The pricing is localized in Kenyan shillings, making it more affordable than many other global platforms as well as being less prone to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.

One of the key highlights was how Zoho adapted to the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, which accelerated the need for digital tools as businesses shifted to remote work. Zoho introduced tools like Zoho Workplace, which became instrumental in helping Kenyan businesses maintain productivity during the lockdown.

Mary also shared that Zoho’s presence in Kenya has continued to grow, with the company setting up a local office and building strong partnerships with companies like Redian Software who also have a local office in Kenya to expand its footprint.

Redian Software’s Role in Driving Customer-Centric Solutions

Pavan Verma shared the inspiring journey of Redian Software, which began in 2011 and has since become a key player in implementing Zoho’s CRM and cloud-based solutions across Africa. What sets Redian apart is their ability to tailor Zoho’s powerful suite of tools to meet the unique needs of businesses in Kenya and Africa.

Pavan emphasized that Redian Software is focused on helping businesses, particularly in sectors like banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI), leverage Zoho’s platforms to create seamless, customer-centric experiences. He discussed the importance of digital transformation in the African context and how Redian Software is enabling businesses to make this shift effectively.

From automating processes to integrating different systems, Redian Software ensures that companies can maximize Zoho’s potential, even building custom applications on Zoho’s Creator platform to meet specific business requirements.

Challenges and Opportunities in Digital Transformation

Both Mary and Pavan acknowledged that businesses in Kenya and the rest of Africa face significant challenges when adopting CRM and cloud solutions. These include concerns about data security, integration with existing systems, and the learning curve associated with new technologies. However, both Zoho and Redian Software are committed to addressing these challenges through robust support, localized pricing, and educating the market about the benefits of digital transformation.

Pavan shared a compelling case study of a client in Uganda, where Redian Software successfully migrated five different systems into one centralized Zoho platform, significantly improving operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. This is just one example of how Zoho and Redian are driving impactful change in the region.