What is Silicon Savanna’s vision? What are we trying to become? What does success look like when it finally arrives?
Nairobi’s startup ecosystem cannot be divorced from the broader national context in which it exists. Indeed, it is a microcosm of that larger narrative. If we are to understand Silicon Savanna we must step back and consider the country.
What is Kenya’s vision? Where are we going? What do we stand for? What would success even look like for us?
Without concrete and specific answers to these questions it is impossible to expect anything from citizens beyond a survivalist, short-termist, eat-what-I-kill mindset. Fertile breeding ground for corruption, cronyism, and generalized mediocrity. Classic cause and effect!
Without a unifying vision there is no reason for a people to sacrifice short-term personal wins, no matter the broader societal cost, for long term communal gain. Why do so? The game invariably degenerates to a zero sum, extraction-at-any-cost pursuit, relegating the ideals of a social contract to nothing more than abstract, unrealistic aspirations for bleeding hearts to pine over like John the Baptist, lone voices in the wilderness.
The more we continue to extract from our shared pool (and by this I mean our shared destiny as people in a nation, not government coffers) without putting back in, the more we deplete our resources including that most invaluable element, human will, which is vital for a functional society .
Trust suffers, dynamism turns negative, a vicious cycle takes hold, the inevitable end of which is societal breakdown. Gated communities mushroom, negative news cycle dominates, quality of service wanes as business people resort to doing just enough to extract the next marginal shilling from the system.
Quality of life erodes, life expectancy drops, mental health problems abound, the drum beat of suicides quickens, cancer becomes common, relationships become increasingly transactional, animalistic. Signs of the human spirit giving way.
So whose job is it to articulate a nation’s vision? What of an ecosystem’s? The natural instinct is to look to political leaders and self appointed gatekeeper weirdos. By now we should have realised that shit ain’t gonna happen bruv!
It’s on us, no one else is coming.
A vision by definition is an inclusive aspiration. It is not just about you and your family. It is something that transcends you. Something you are willing to personally sacrifice for it’s attainment. You know it when you hear it. It tugs at your soul. But bills.
Nelson Mandela. Martin Luther King. Patrice Lumumba. Heroes!
The fact of the matter is none of us is leaving this planet alive. Death is imminent, and you know as well as I do that our brief lives will be quickly washed away in the sands of time. 100 years from now no one will know we existed, let alone give two shits about our sorry little problems. We are but a puff of smoke in an undulating universe. Essentially, nothing.
There are 3 ways to respond to this disconcerting reality. 1) Religion: the less said about that the better :( 2) Me-ism: a me first at all costs attitude, paying zero attention to the destruction left in our wake as we ride the currents of status quo. 3) Lynchpin: like the Salmon, turn upstream, embrace the challenge of contributing to LIFE itself, spread your wings like an eagle to provide cover for others seeking support so they too can soar, like those genius Ibis’s find a squad of like minded leaders and join ranks to fly in formation.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead
My personal vision for Silicon Savanna is that in 10–15 years we can be able to stand back, gaze at the Nairobi skyline and pick out neon signage of great African companies that impactafrica.network played a key part in catalyzing in the early days. We are working with some right now!
Success = increased quality jobs, more respect for entrepreneurs/risk takers (not job titles), commitment to value creation (not rent seeking), meritocracy over hierarchy, individuals committed to high performance, high integrity, and high collaboration. A restored faith in a system of good rewards for good work. Trust, kindness, community.
When people have disposable income and a belief in their ability to create more, they tend to loosen their grip, become more tolerant, creative, and just more awesome. They yearn for a better world.
I just described Silicon Valley, at least pre 2010. This is the spirit that laid the foundation for that place’s phenomenal success, and, we can’t argue with success so kindly park your criticism hapo kando *insert massive eye roll*.
What’s your vision 2030? #myvision2030
“If a man has not found something he is willing to die for, he is not fit to live.” Martin Luther King
