Agabi: African capital needs to chase after first principle technology

The CEO of Koniku Incorporated, Osh Ogabi, has called for African capital to pursue first-generation, first-principal technology on the continent, emphasizing the importance of adding value as artificial intelligence (AI) becomes a focal point in Africa's development. Speaking to CNBC Africa at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Ogabi highlighted the potential of AI to drive productivity in both enterprise and consumer spaces, while stressing the need to harness the benefits of AI for Africa. Koniku has been approached with offers to establish manufacturing facilities in Europe and the US, showcasing the global interest in their innovative technology. Ogabi acknowledged the existing initiatives in Africa, such as Awori, aimed at localizing AI content and underlined Koniku's commitment to advancing technology within Africa by manufacturing robots from scratch. He expressed enthusiasm about the transformative power of AI but emphasized the importance of ensuring Africa is not left behind in the technological revolution. Ogabi lamented the lack of visibility of African brands and countries at the event, emphasizing the necessity for African policymakers to focus on acquiring first-principle technologies to drive the continent's progress in AI. He highlighted the potential of the youthful African population as future consumers and economic drivers, urging African capital to invest in cutting-edge technology to propel Africa forward. Ogabi also discussed the positive reception Koniku has received globally, with offers to establish manufacturing facilities in Europe and the US. He mentioned engaging with various African countries, including discussions at the South African Pavilion, to explore deploying their technology on the continent. Ogabi provided insight into Koniku's innovative technology, a smell processor akin to NVIDIA's graphical processing units, tailored for defense applications like explosive and biological threat detection. The technology also aims to transform household bathrooms into healthcare data centers, enabling early health assessments. Reflecting on his experience at Davos, Ogabi expressed optimism about the future of technology and the pivotal role Koniku plays in driving progress in the AI space. He anticipates a golden age of technological advancement and is grateful for Koniku's position as a leader in shaping this transformative era. Ogabi's vision for African capital to embrace cutting-edge technology aligns with his belief in Africa's potential to leverage AI for sustainable development and economic growth, positioning Koniku as a trailblazer in the global AI landscape.