Pathways for Prosperity’s official launch: how can emerging technologies benefit the poorest?
Melinda Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, minister of finance of Indonesia; and Strive Masiyiwa, founder and executive chairman of Econet, joined forces today to launch Pathways for Prosperity: Commission on Technology and Inclusive Development.
The Pathways for Prosperity commission will bring together a diverse range of leaders from government, business and academia to provide evidence and analysis, as well as concrete policy recommendations, to help developing countries’ governments navigate this rapidly evolving landscape.
"As an entrepreneur, technology underpins everything I do, and I am fascinated by what is coming down the line. But I know that there are also potential pitfalls and risks. This commission gives us a way of working together to understand how to harness technology for good, use it to enhance opportunities for all and drive inclusive growth." - Strive Masiyiwa
The Blavatnik School’s Stefan Dercon, former chief economist of the UK Department for International Development (DfID), and Benno Ndulu, former governor of the Central Bank of Tanzania, will lead the commission as its academic directors.
"Innovation can help people transform their lives, but only if they have access to it. This commission brings together diverse thinkers and doers committed to ensuring that everyone, no matter how rich or poor, can take advantage of technological innovation." - Melinda Gates
While some technological advancements may disrupt or block traditional routes out of poverty by making certain jobs obsolete, some new technologies could offer an alternative roadmap to inclusive development. For instance, the widespread use of digital financial services in Kenya has enabled 75% of people over 15 years old to have access to bank accounts (up from 10% in 2005), and mobile financial services such as M-Pesa have lifted 2% of the population out of poverty.
“The pace and scale of technological change offer big challenges and significant opportunities for developing countries. Technology can strengthen the relationship between citizens and governments, fuelled by transparency and access to information.” - Sri Mulyani Indrawati
The launch took place at Nairobi’s innovation space iHub with a panel discussion moderated by Kenyan journalist Larry Madowo. Today’s is just the first of several events the commission will hold around the world over the next two years. Each meeting will focus on different thematic issues and countries, with the common aim of helping governments in developing countries take advantage of the opportunities technology brings.
See the full list of commissioners in our People page.
Download the official press release here.