Africonology at AfricaCom 2024: Guiding Enterprises Through Africa’s Digital Transformation Journey

A Never-Ending Journey of Transformation 

Digital transformation is advancing at an unprecedented pace in Africa. Mandla described it as an ongoing process that requires continuous adaptation. 

“It’s never an ending story—it evolves in different shapes and forms. Our role at Africonology is to guide our clients through the roadmap, aligning their goals with their business strategies to achieve true digital transformation,” he explained. 

Addressing Legacy Challenges 

One of the biggest hurdles for enterprises in Africa is managing legacy systems. Mandla highlighted how Africonology helps organizations modernize these systems to enable integration with current technologies like cloud platforms. 

“Our focus is on identifying technical debt and addressing it. By transitioning from outdated technologies to modern, flexible platforms, we help businesses prepare for the future,” Mandla said. 

Future-Fit, Not Just Future-Proof 

Rather than merely future-proofing systems, Africonology aims to make them “future-fit” by enabling seamless integration with emerging technologies, including AI. 

“Moving from legacy systems to modern platforms like Angular or Java allows companies to integrate with cutting-edge technologies effectively. It’s about building systems that are ready for the challenges of tomorrow,” Mandla noted. 

Leveraging AI for Targeted Transformation 

AI has disrupted industries globally, and Mandla emphasized its potential to accelerate digital transformation. However, he cautioned against adopting AI for its own sake. 

“AI needs to be deployed in alignment with business processes and objectives. It’s not about jumping on a trend; it’s about finding fit-for-purpose solutions that deliver measurable value. A well-chosen tool, implemented correctly, can drive real impact,” he said. 

Building Skills for Sustainable Growth 

Mandla also highlighted the importance of upskilling teams to ensure businesses can keep pace with technological advancements. Africonology advocates a hybrid model, combining external expertise with internal training to create sustainable capabilities. 

“You need to hire the right talent or work with partners, but also invest in training your existing team. Pairing consultants with employees for on-the-job training ensures knowledge transfer and builds long-term capacity,” he explained. 

An Optimistic Outlook for Africa 

Looking ahead, Mandla expressed optimism about Africa’s digital future, driven by a young, tech-savvy population and the increasing adoption of innovative technologies like AI and cloud. 

“Africa’s digital transformation is gaining momentum. To keep pace, our economies must align with this rapid evolution. Collaboration, literacy, and forward-thinking investments in R&D are key to unlocking the continent’s full potential,” Mandla concluded. 

Africonology’s role as a trusted partner for enterprises is shaping the future of digital transformation in Africa.