Fourth Industrial Revolution essay contest: the winner

The winning essay considers what the tech revolution means for Africa Image: REUTERS/Feisal Omar

Ceri Parker
Previously Commissioning Editor, Agenda, World Economic Forum

This week, leaders from around the world will gather to under the theme Mastering the Fourth Industrial Revolution at the World Economic Forum's 46th Annual Meeting. It's a conversation that reverberates well beyond Davos, as the entries in our essay contest demonstrate.

Our shortlist covered what new technology means for the refugee crisis, for the future of jobs and for a new, less wasteful kind of economy. Out of all these thought-provoking entries, we have chosen Charisma D. Kakuru's essay on What the Fourth Industrial Revolution will do for Africa as the winner.

African society is on a collision course with the developed world, and the Fourth Industrial Revolution will either reverse this trend or exacerbate it.

Charisma D. Kukuru

His essay looks at how the new combination of technologies and platforms will revolutionise the continent, from productivity, education, trade and investment, entrepreneurialism, to governance and transparency. He emphasises the importance of youth for Africa's future, participation and closing the gender gap.

Charisma will receive a signed copy of The Fourth Industrial Revolution, by Professor Klaus Schwab.

Thank you to all those who participated in the contest, and we hope you enjoyed writing your submissions as much as we enjoyed reading them.

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