My first in-depth manifesto and analysis about how AI and tech can bridge economic and social divides. nnovation and AI: Bridging the Gap Between Poverty and Prosperity Every day, new technologies reshape our world. We live in a time when artificial intelligence (AI) can converse like a human and a farmer in a remote village can check crop prices on a smartphone. Yet, alongside these marvels, nearly one-third of humanity remains offline and locked out of the digital era worldbank.org . Over 800 million people still endure extreme poverty on less than $2.15 a day blogs.worldbank.org . This contrast is the “gap” between poverty and the middle class – and it’s one we can close with inclusive innovation. In this article, we’ll explore how technology and AI can bridge that gap, starting with a global view and then focusing on Nigeria. The language is simple by design, because the message is for everyone – from an 11-year-old student to an 80-year-old policymaker. By the end, I hope you’ll see that technology, used responsibly and passionately, can empower millions and spark a journey from poverty to prosperity. The Global Digital Divide and Poverty Gap The world has never been more connected – and yet unequal access to technology is widening the divide. Consider internet access: in wealthy countries, over 90% of people use the internet, while in the poorest nations only about one in four people is online worldbank.org . Digital connectivity has become a lifeline for education, jobs, and communication. But billions are still left behind. About 2.6 billion people – roughly a third of the global population – remained offline in 2023 worldbank.org . That means billions can’t take an online class, search for a job on the web, or even read this article. This “digital divide” isn’t just about gadgets; it directly impacts income and opportunities. Regions that are connected reap the benefits of the digital economy, while those without access fall further behind in productivity and education worldbank.org . Figure: Internet Access in High-Income vs Low-Income Countries (2022). Over 90% of people in wealthy countries use the internet, but only about 25% in the poorest countries do worldbank.org . This stark divide means many of the world’s poor are excluded from online education, digital banking, telehealth, and remote work opportunities. Bridging this gap by expanding affordable internet access and digital skills is a critical step toward reducing poverty. Lack of connectivity contributes to a vicious cycle: without internet access, students can’t get a modern education, entrepreneurs can’t reach broader markets, and communities struggle to get information about health or agriculture. The World Bank warns that without digital access and skills, “billions are locked out of the modern world.” worldbank.org On the other hand, when technology reaches the poor, it can be transformative. Imagine a girl in a rural village who, via a low-cost tablet, can attend virtual classes and access a world of knowledge. Or a small business owner using a mobile phone to sell products far beyond their local town. These aren’t just hypotheticals – they are real stories unfolding in many developing countries thanks to innovative programs and affordable tech. Importantly, access alone isn’t enough; skills and affordability matter too. Many communities lack reliable electricity or find devices and data too expensive. To truly close the gap, governments and partners must invest in infrastructure and digital literacy. The reward is huge: closing the digital divide could add an estimated $6.7 trillion to the global economy by 2025 medium.com , as more people become productive and connected. In short, connecting the unconnected is not charity – it’s building a richer, more educated world for all. High-Tech vs Low-Tech: Different Paths, Different Outcomes Access to innovation often marks the difference between thriving and struggling. Let’s compare a few scenarios that illustrate how high-tech and low-tech paths diverge: Education: In one country, students use tablets and AI-powered tutoring software to learn math at their own pace. In another, classrooms lack basic textbooks and are packed with 60+ students per teacher. The outcomes? The tech-enabled students consistently improve their test scores, while the others fall behind. In fact, globally there is a staggering shortage of teachers – 58 million additional teachers are needed to meet education needs blogs.worldbank.org . Technology can help fill this gap: for instance, in India, students using an AI learning app scored higher in Hindi and math than those without it blogs.worldbank.org . A school with interactive video lessons or educational games can reach children who have no science teacher, demonstrating how high-tech tools can level the playing field. Finance: Consider two small business owners. One can send and receive payments on a mobile phone, accessing loans and customers online. The other deals only in cash in a village with no bank. The first business grows and pulls the family into the middle class; the second stays limited by what’s local. This isn’t just theory – it’s reality in places like Kenya, where the mobile money service M-Pesa lifted 194,000 households (about 2% of all Kenyan families) out of extreme poverty by allowing easy saving and entrepreneurship news.mit.edu . Globally, financial technology (fintech) has driven a leap in inclusion: nearly 80% of adults worldwide now have a financial account, up from about 50% in 2011 worldbank.org . That growth was fueled largely by digital solutions like mobile banking. Meanwhile, communities stuck in a cash-only economy miss out on safer savings and credit for investment. Agriculture: Picture two farmers. One uses a basic hoe and guesses when the rains will come; the other uses a smartphone app for weather alerts, improved seed varieties, and perhaps even a drone for crop monitoring. The tech-assisted farmer harvests more and has extra income to send his children to school. The analog farmer works just as hard but gets poorer yields. With climate change making weather more erratic, innovation in agriculture is literally a lifesaver. The World Bank estimates that AI-driven innovations in farming could help feed an additional 500 million people by 2030 medium.com . This includes tools that advise on optimal planting times, detect crop diseases via photos, and connect farmers to fair marketplaces. Farms that remain low-tech risk lower productivity and continued poverty, while those embracing modern tools can turn agriculture into a path out of poverty. Healthcare: In some regions, a patient’s best hope for expert care might be telemedicine – consulting a doctor in a city via phone – or an AI that can analyze an X-ray remotely. In high-tech healthcare systems, AI already helps doctors diagnose diseases faster and more accurately. Meanwhile, low-tech clinics may not even have a qualified doctor on site. The World Health Organization recommends at least 45 doctors, nurses, and midwives per 10,000 people, but many low-income countries have only about a quarter of that number blogs.worldbank.org . Technology can bridge this gap. For example, in South Africa, AI tools support doctors by suggesting diagnoses and treatment, freeing up human doctors to spend more time with patients blogs.worldbank.org . A clinic with an internet connection and diagnostic software can save lives that a remote, unconnected clinic might tragically lose. In short, a digitally equipped health system means better outcomes than a purely analog one. These comparisons show a clear pattern: high-tech approaches tend to boost education, income, and productivity, whereas low-tech approaches often perpetuate low productivity and poverty. Technology is not a magic wand for development, but it’s an amplifier of human potential. Companies and regions that digitize and innovate usually speed ahead. In fact, enterprises with top-notch IT and digital systems have been found to enjoy 35% higher revenue growth and 10% higher profit margins than their less tech-savvy peers mckinsey.com . On the flip side, those who fail to adapt may fall further behind. However, it’s important to emphasize that adopting technology alone isn’t enough – it must be the right technology, accessible to the many, and paired with training. A school with tablets but no trained teachers, or a hospital with machines but no electricity, won’t succeed. Thus, the real difference in outcomes comes from thoughtful integration of innovation into society. When done right, the digital path clearly leads to more inclusive prosperity than the analog path. The Promise and Perils of AI Artificial intelligence (AI) deserves special attention. It’s often called a revolutionary force – and for good reason. AI can learn patterns from vast data, perform tasks, and even “think” in ways that mimic human decision-making. This brings enormous promise for closing gaps between rich and poor, but also some potential perils. Let’s break down both sides: The Promise of AI for Inclusion AI has the potential to be a great equalizer if deployed wisely. It can help address shortages in critical areas: Education: Imagine a classroom where every child has a personal tutor. AI makes this possible through intelligent tutoring systems that can adapt to each student’s needs. With a global shortage of teachers (tens of millions needed), AI tutors can help fill the gap by offering one-on-one help in any subject. For instance, an AI learning app can teach a child to read or do math even if their school has overcrowded classes. Such tools are already boosting learning outcomes – as noted earlier, students in India using an AI reading app saw measurable improvements in language and math skills blogs.worldbank.org . In Uganda, an AI chatbot is even providing free legal advice to people who could never afford a lawyer blogs.worldbank.org . These examples show AI can spread knowledge and services to underserved communities at scale. Healthcare: In healthcare, AI can analyze medical images (like X-rays or MRIs) faster than humans and flag diseases early. It can also help triage patients – deciding who needs urgent care – and even predict disease outbreaks. In places with few doctors, an AI diagnostic tool can literally be a lifesaver. Telemedicine powered by AI translation can allow a doctor in London to consult with a patient in rural Nigeria in real time, breaking language and distance barriers. Such innovations help compensate for the dire lack of medical professionals in many poor areas (remember, many countries have only ~10 health workers per 10,000 people vs. the recommended 45 blogs.worldbank.org ). AI doesn’t replace doctors – it extends their reach. By automating routine tasks and providing decision support, AI lets doctors and nurses focus on the human side of care, improving quality for everyone blogs.worldbank.org . Financial Inclusion and Public Services: AI can make government and banking services smarter and more accessible. One great example comes from Togo in West Africa: during the COVID-19 pandemic, Togo’s government used an AI system to target cash assistance to the neediest citizens, analyzing satellite images and phone data to identify poor households blogs.worldbank.org . This meant aid money went directly to struggling families quickly, with less waste or corruption. On the finance side, AI can help banks give loans to people with no formal credit history by analyzing alternative data (like mobile payment records). It can also power chatbots that provide 24/7 customer service or financial advice to anyone with a phone. For small businesses, AI tools can optimize routes for deliveries or manage inventory, saving time and money. All these uses of AI can especially benefit those who were previously excluded from formal systems. Boosting Jobs and Productivity: Properly harnessed, AI can assist workers rather than replace them. In some studies, giving workers access to AI tools raised their productivity significantly – for example, customer support agents using an AI assistant were able to resolve issues 14% faster on average, with newbies improving the most blogs.worldbank.org . This suggests AI can empower lower-skilled workers to perform like more experienced ones blogs.worldbank.org . By automating tedious tasks, AI lets workers focus on more meaningful, creative work, potentially making jobs more satisfying. There’s also promise of entirely new jobs and industries emerging from the AI revolution – much like the internet created web designers and app developers. If we prepare people with the right digital skills, AI could open doors to better-paying jobs, even in developing regions. The bottom line on AI’s promise: it can help leapfrog development hurdles. Countries that lack certain infrastructures can use digital solutions to skip old stages of progress (a phenomenon often called “leapfrogging”). For example, many African countries had low bank branch coverage but leapfrogged straight to mobile banking. Similarly, AI could help nations bypass some traditional limitations – like limited universities – by offering world-class education and services through phones and computers. It’s a chance for poorer regions to catch up faster. The Perils of AI and Automation However, AI is a double-edged sword. Without care, it could widen gaps and create new problems: Job Displacement: Perhaps the biggest fear is that AI and automation will take over jobs, especially those done by lower-skilled workers. Machines and algorithms are getting better at tasks like assembling products, driving vehicles, or processing data. A report by the International Labour Organization warns that up to 800 million jobs could be displaced by automation by 2030, with the majority of losses in low- and middle-income countries medium.com . That’s nearly a billion livelihoods at risk if we do nothing. History has shown technology usually creates new jobs even as it destroys some, but the transition can be very painful if it’s rapid. For a factory worker or call center employee, hearing that a robot or an AI chatbot can do their job cheaper is terrifying. If societies don’t plan for this, we could see more unemployment and inequality before the benefits of AI reach everyone. Inequality Between Countries: Right now, the countries leading in AI are mostly wealthy nations and a few emerging giants like China and India. These nations are investing heavily in AI research and companies. AI’s productivity gains are largely being captured by big tech firms and rich economies blogs.worldbank.org , which could leave developing countries further behind. If, for example, manufacturing becomes fully automated, companies might relocate factories back to rich countries (since cheap labor abroad won’t be an advantage). This would hurt countries that today rely on low-skill manufacturing jobs as a stepping stone out of poverty. The World Bank has cautioned that AI-fueled automation could undermine traditional development paths, making it harder for poorer countries to industrialize and grow blogs.worldbank.org . In short, there’s a risk of a new kind of divide: an “AI divide” where the AI haves benefit enormously while the AI have-nots struggle. Ethical and Privacy Risks: AI can be used in harmful ways, intentionally or not. For instance, AI surveillance systems could violate privacy or be used by governments to oppress dissent if not checked. Automated decision systems might deny someone a loan or a job interview because of biased algorithms that reflect societal prejudices (for example, an AI trained on biased data might unfairly favor one race or gender over another). Without proper oversight, AI could reinforce discrimination rather than reduce it. There are also concerns about deepfakes and misinformation – AI can generate fake images, videos, and news that look real, potentially fueling scams or social unrest. All societies will have to grapple with these issues, but developing countries might find it harder if they lack strong regulations and technical expertise to audit AI systems. Dependency and Local Capacity: If poor countries simply import AI solutions from abroad, they might become dependent on foreign tech, with little local job creation in the tech sector. It’s important that countries build their own capacity in AI and innovation – training local engineers, adopting AI in local languages and contexts. Otherwise, AI could become a form of digital colonization, where money flows out to the tech hubs and local talent isn’t developed. Additionally, AI systems often need reliable electricity, internet, and data. Countries lacking these basics could find that AI solutions fail or only serve urban elites, widening rural-urban gaps. Given these risks, responsible use of AI is paramount. The goal should be to empower people, not replace or control them. This means policies like: supporting workers to retrain for new jobs, encouraging businesses to use AI to assist (not fire) employees, and putting ethical guardrails in place (for example, laws on data privacy and against AI-driven discrimination). International cooperation will be crucial, because AI’s challenges cross borders. With wise action, we can avoid the nightmare scenarios and instead realize AI’s tremendous benefits for all humanity. Innovation in Key Sectors: Education, Health, Finance, and Agriculture Innovation isn’t a vague buzzword – it happens sector by sector, solving real problems in specific areas of life. Let’s highlight how technology and AI are driving change in four key sectors that are vital for closing the poverty gap, especially in Africa: Education Technology (EdTech) Quality education is a proven pathway out of poverty. EdTech is making learning more accessible and personalized than ever. From solar-powered iPads in remote villages to online courses that anyone with a smartphone can join, educational technology breaks down barriers of location and cost. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we saw a boom in remote learning. Though not perfect, it kept millions of students learning from home via radio, TV, or internet. One promising area is AI-powered learning apps. These can act as tutors for students who might not get much individual attention in class. They practice reading or math with a child, give instant feedback, and adapt to the child’s pace. This is crucial in places where one teacher might handle 50 or more students. Remember that earlier stat: rich countries average about 13 students per teacher, while poorer ones average 22 blogs.worldbank.org – and many are far higher. EdTech helps bridge this gap. Another aspect is reaching out-of-school children. As of 2023, roughly 250 million children and youth worldwide are out of school unesco.org – often due to poverty, conflict, or distance to school. Technology can bring education to them. For example, community centers with offline educational content (on drives or tablets) can teach basic literacy and skills. Even simple mobile phones can deliver educational quizzes via text message. In Africa, initiatives like Eneza Education in Kenya use SMS-based learning to help kids in rural areas study with whatever device they have. Every child brought into learning is a potential adult lifted out of poverty in the future. For teachers and schools, EdTech provides new tools to improve quality – from online training for teachers to platforms that track student progress. It’s important, though, that technology in education is inclusive: tools should work in low-bandwidth settings and be available in local languages. When done right, EdTech can empower a generation of students who will become the scientists, entrepreneurs, and informed citizens of tomorrow, regardless of whether they were born in Boston or a small town in Nigeria. Health Technology (HealthTech) In health, innovative technology literally saves lives. Telemedicine has been a game-changer, especially in Africa and South Asia. Through a simple phone or a messaging app, a patient in a remote area can consult with a doctor or nurse far away. This can be critical for early diagnosis and treatment advice when local clinics are sparse. For example, during Ebola outbreaks and the COVID-19 pandemic, health hotlines and telemedicine helped triage patients and give people reliable advice, countering dangerous rumors. Mobile health (mHealth) initiatives also send out health tips and reminders via SMS – like reminders for vaccination dates or prenatal check-ups. These low-tech solutions save countless children by ensuring immunizations and maternal care happen on time. In Uganda, a program called mTrac allows health workers to report medicine stock levels via SMS to a central system, preventing stockouts of essential drugs. More high-tech, we have things like portable diagnostic devices. There are smartphone attachments now that can perform ultrasounds or blood tests in the field. Drones are being used in countries like Rwanda and Ghana to deliver blood supplies and vaccines to remote clinics, cutting delivery times from hours to minutes. These innovations mean that even people in villages far from big hospitals can access some benefits of modern medicine quickly. AI plays a role in healthtech too. As mentioned, AI can analyze scans or symptoms to aid doctors. It’s also used in predicting disease spread – for example, AI algorithms analyze Google search trends or social media to detect flu outbreaks early. For a continent like Africa with limited doctors, such tools help prioritize resources and responses. However, technology in health must be paired with strengthening basic health systems. A tablet for health records is only useful if there’s a health worker to input data and electricity to charge it. So, investments in health infrastructure and training need to go hand in hand with fancy new tech. When they do, the result is healthier communities that can work, attend school, and prosper instead of being held back by illness. Financial Technology (FinTech) Access to financial services – being able to save money securely, borrow when needed, or make payments efficiently – is a cornerstone of joining the middle class. Not long ago, 2.5 billion people had no bank account, especially women and the rural poor. This meant they operated only in cash, which is risky (money can be stolen or lost) and limiting. FinTech has changed this narrative dramatically. Thanks to mobile phones, financial inclusion has surged. Today, nearly 80% of adults globally have an account with a bank or mobile money service worldbank.org . In just a decade, roughly 1.2 billion people gained access to financial tools. This progress was fueled by innovations like mobile wallets, agent banking (local shopkeepers providing basic banking), and digital ID systems to onboard customers easily. For example, in South Asia, India’s Aadhaar biometric ID and UPI payment system enabled hundreds of millions to do digital banking cheaply. In Africa, mobile money services like M-Pesa in Kenya, MTN Mobile Money in West Africa, or EvcPlus in Somalia let users send money with a simple text message code. People can now save small amounts securely, access micro-loans, or buy insurance for their crops, all through a phone. The impact on poverty is real and documented: in Kenya, as noted, M-Pesa helped many families escape extreme poverty news.mit.edu , and it also enabled 185,000 women to move from subsistence farming to business jobs by easing access to capital news.mit.edu . In Ghana, mobile money has increased savings rates, and in Bangladesh, digital microcredit platforms help entrepreneurs (especially women) start small businesses. FinTech also empowers people who migrate to work in cities or abroad. They can send remittances (money back home) instantly and cheaply using digital services, which supports millions of families in poorer regions. It even helps during crises: digital cash transfers can reach disaster victims directly on their phones, faster than physical aid. Yet, FinTech has its cautions: digital fraud and scams are challenges, and those without phones can be left out. Digital literacy is as important as the tech itself – people need to know how to use PIN codes, recognize phishing, etc. Governments have a role too, to regulate these services so they are safe and to extend connectivity. But overall, FinTech has shown how innovation can pull people into the formal economy, unlocking opportunities to invest in education, health, or businesses that were previously unattainable. Figure: Global Financial Inclusion Progress (Adults with Accounts). In 2011, only about half of adults worldwide had an account at a bank or mobile money service. By 2024, about 79% of adults had an account worldbank.org . This rapid progress – in just over a decade – was driven largely by technology like mobile banking and digital payments. It illustrates how innovation can quickly bring millions of people into the financial system, enabling them to save, borrow, and invest in their futures. Agricultural Technology (AgriTech) Agriculture is the backbone of many developing economies and the main livelihood for the world’s poor. Ironically, it’s also a sector often left behind technologically. But that’s changing: AgriTech innovations are helping farmers increase yields, reduce losses, and access markets, which means more income and food security. One basic example is the use of SMS alerts for farmers. A simple text can warn a farmer of an approaching pest outbreak or a coming drought, so they can prepare (e.g., apply pesticide or conserve water). Another innovation is digital commodity prices: farmers can check current crop prices in various markets via phone, so they don’t get cheated by middlemen. This kind of market transparency can significantly improve a farmer’s earnings. More advanced AgriTech includes precision farming tools: sensors that tell soil moisture, drones that scan fields for health, and AI models that recommend optimal fertilizer use. While these might sound futuristic, versions of them are in use even on small African farms. For instance, in Nigeria and Kenya, startups have developed apps where farmers input their crop type and get a tailored calendar for planting and harvesting, based on weather data. There are also services that use satellite imagery to assess crop health and then send advice via mobile. All of this helps farmers make informed decisions rather than rely on tradition and luck. Access to capital for farmers is also improving via innovation. FinTech meets AgriTech when platforms provide micro-loans to farmers for seeds and equipment, often using alternative data (like mobile phone history or satellite crop data) to judge creditworthiness. Some countries have introduced e-wallet subsidy programs – Nigeria, for example, used an electronic voucher system for fertilizer subsidies that cut out corrupt middlemen and ensured farmers got the fertilizer at the right price. This e-wallet program reached millions of farmers and was credited with improving fertilizer access and yields. Another game-changer is value addition and market linkage. Through e-commerce platforms, a farmer can potentially sell dried fruits or crafts to a buyer in another city or country, increasing their income beyond just raw crop sales. There are now digital cooperatives forming where farmers pool produce and negotiate better prices, coordinated by mobile apps. All these innovations contribute to breaking the cycle where farmers remain subsistence-level. When farmers earn more, they can invest in better seeds, hire help, and even ensure their children go to school instead of working the field. Given that 80% of the world’s poor live in rural areas and depend on agriculture worldbank.org , uplifting agriculture through technology is key to reducing global poverty. Moreover, making farming more productive and resilient (with drought-resistant crops, smart irrigation, etc.) also addresses hunger – an essential component of escaping poverty. AI in Africa: A Special Note Across all these sectors, Africa – often seen as a latecomer in tech – is showing remarkable leaps with AI and innovation. From Kigali to Lagos to Nairobi, tech hubs are sprouting, filled with young developers solving local problems with cutting-edge tools. For example, in Ethiopia, researchers are using AI to predict crop failures. In Nigeria, drones are being tested for delivering medical supplies in traffic-congested cities. African universities and companies are also dabbling in AI for local languages, enabling voice assistants or translation services that work for Swahili, Yoruba, Zulu and more, thereby including people who don’t speak English or French. AI in Africa also means creative uses like chatbots providing mental health counseling (to reach areas with few psychologists) or solar micro-grids being optimized by AI for reliable village power. These innovations are crucial because they are tailored to the continent’s needs: affordability, offline capability, and relevance to youthful populations. With half of Africans under age 20, there’s a huge opportunity to train a tech-savvy workforce that can build and maintain these AI systems locally. In summary, whether it’s a solar-powered ICT lab in a Kenyan village, a mobile banking revolution in Bangladesh, or AI-driven crop advice in Uganda, innovation is touching every sector fundamental to human development. The takeaway message is that technology is not just about fancy devices – it’s about improving lives. Each sector we transform with innovation brings us a step closer to a world where being born poor doesn’t mean staying poor. Everyone Has a Role: Government, Business, Schools, and You Closing the gap between poverty and middle class through innovation is a team effort. Everyone – from governments and big companies to schools and individual citizens – has a role to play. Here’s how each can contribute, and what happens if they don’t: Governments: They set the stage by investing in infrastructure (like electricity, internet, roads) and creating policies that encourage innovation. A government that builds rural broadband, for example, opens the door for all the private sector and educational digital programs to reach those areas. Governments also need to implement fair regulations – protecting people from misuse of tech (fraud, data privacy violations) without stifling the growth of new services. If governments don’t act, we often see chaotic markets where only a few benefit, or no one invests in hard but necessary projects (like rural connectivity) because it’s not immediately profitable. Moreover, governments run education and vocational training in many places – by updating curricula to include digital skills, they prepare the next generation for an AI-driven economy. Forward-looking policies, such as funding tech incubators or giving tax breaks for companies that provide internet to underserved communities, can accelerate inclusion. On the flip side, inaction or poor policies (like excessive taxes on mobile data or politically shutting down the internet during elections) can severely set back progress and even erode trust in innovation. Businesses: Companies, from giant multinationals to local start-ups, are the creators and implementers of much of this technology. With their resources and ingenuity, businesses can develop affordable solutions tailored for low-income consumers. For instance, a telecom company can introduce low-cost data packages or an electricity firm can use smart meters to bring power to off-grid areas via solar kits. Fintech and edtech start-ups often spring from seeing a gap – like “people in my community need a cheaper way to send money” – and then coding an app to solve it. Businesses that prioritize inclusion (sometimes called “social enterprises”) often find huge untapped markets among the poor. Serving the underserved isn’t just altruism; it can be profitable and create jobs. We’ve seen companies in Africa thrive by offering pay-as-you-go solar energy or micro-insurance for farmers. However, if businesses ignore the poor, focusing only on luxury products or rich urban customers, they miss a win-win opportunity. There’s also a role for big tech companies to share AI research and tools openly (many are starting to open-source AI frameworks or offer free training courses), which helps build local capacity in developing nations. In summary, business involvement ensures that innovative products actually reach end-users and continuously improve. Schools and Educational Institutions: Schools, universities, and training centers are where the innovators and workers of tomorrow are nurtured. Incorporating STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Math) and digital literacy from an early age is crucial. A child who learns to code or at least to comfortably use a computer is far better positioned for the modern job market than one who has never touched a keyboard. Schools can also use tech themselves, as we discussed in EdTech, to enhance learning. At higher levels, universities in developing countries should be encouraged to partner with industry, perhaps opening innovation labs or including practical tech projects in their curriculum. Scholarship programs in tech fields for disadvantaged youth can be transformative, taking a kid from a poor background and turning them into an engineer who can then uplift their family and community. If educational institutions resist change – sticking to rote learning, not teaching relevant skills – they risk producing graduates who can’t find good jobs, even as jobs go unfilled for lack of appropriate skills. It’s notable that many African tech start-ups were founded by young people who either self-taught coding or went through some tech hub/bootcamp outside formal education, because universities weren’t providing what the industry needs. Closing that gap in formal education is important for scaling up the skilled workforce. Individuals: Yes, you – as a student, parent, worker, or community member – play a role too. Individuals can embrace lifelong learning to stay adaptable in a tech-driven world. Even if one didn’t grow up with computers, it’s never too late to learn basic digital skills; many NGOs offer free classes. Being open to change and willing to reskill (for example, a taxi driver learning to manage a ride-hailing app, or a farmer learning to use a smartphone) is key. Moreover, individuals in communities can demand change – by advocating for better internet, forming community networks, or supporting politicians who prioritize innovation and education. In families, encouraging children (especially girls, who often face barriers) to pursue science and curiosity can make a huge difference. If individuals don’t engage, there’s a risk of a passive populace left at the mercy of decisions made by others. But when people take initiative – say, a grassroots group starting a local coding club or a parent-teacher association pushing for computer classes – it creates a bottom-up drive that complements top-down efforts. Each person who becomes tech-savvy and shares knowledge in their community creates a ripple effect of empowerment. In essence, closing the poverty gap with technology is a shared responsibility. When all these actors work in concert – a government providing a supportive environment, businesses innovating, schools educating for the future, and individuals grabbing opportunities – the impact multiplies. If any one part fails, progress slows. For example, you might have brilliant tech invented (thanks to businesses and universities), but if the government doesn’t expand internet access, it won’t reach the village where it’s needed. Or a government might distribute tablets to schools, but if teachers aren’t trained (schools’ role) or content isn’t in local language, it flops. Thus, coordination and a common vision are needed: one that sees innovation as a tool for social good, not just private gain. And let’s not forget the role of the international community and NGOs in this mix. They often facilitate knowledge exchange and provide funding or pilots for innovative projects in poorer regions. Multilateral organizations (like the World Bank, United Nations) are actively pushing programs for digital transformation, precisely to help governments and communities implement these solutions faster. Ultimately, however, it is the local ownership and initiative that sustain progress. A community that sees technology as their ally in development will maintain a telecenter or keep a girls-in-tech club alive long after external donors leave. We all have a stake in this: a world where technology’s benefits are shared is more prosperous and stable for everyone. If vast numbers remain in poverty while others are in the metaverse (an online virtual world) – that’s a recipe for tension and lost human potential. But if innovation lifts lives broadly, we could see a future with less hunger, more education, and more brilliant minds contributing to humanity’s progress. Spotlight on Nigeria: Empowering Youth Through Innovation Let’s narrow our focus to one country that encapsulates both the challenges and the opportunities discussed: Nigeria. Nigeria is often called the "Giant of Africa" – it’s the most populous country in Africa, rich in culture and resources, and it has a massive youth population. Over 227 million people live in Nigeria, and more than 70% of Nigerians are under the age of 30 borgenproject.org . The median age is just about 18 years medium.com . This youthful energy could drive an economic boom, but it’s also a ticking time bomb if opportunities don’t keep up. Unfortunately, Nigeria faces a stark reality: it also has one of the highest levels of poverty in the world. According to the latest national survey, 133 million Nigerians (63% of the population) are multidimensionally poor premiumtimesng.com . “Multidimensionally poor” means they suffer deprivations in health, education, living standards, etc., not just income. Even by income alone, about 40% live below the national poverty line premiumtimesng.com . Unemployment and underemployment are widespread – especially among youth. Estimates suggest that youth unemployment may be over 40% in Nigeria medium.com medium.com (note: Nigeria changed how it calculates unemployment recently, but on-ground reality is that many young people can’t find formal jobs). This combination – millions of bright young people and not enough opportunities – can lead to frustration, social unrest, or brain drain (young talent leaving the country) medium.com medium.com . We saw an example of this frustration in the 2020 #EndSARS protests, where youth rallied not just against police brutality but for a better future overall. Now, how can innovation and technology help Nigeria close the gap between its many poor citizens and its relatively small middle class? The answer lies in empowering those youth and transforming key sectors, much as we discussed globally, but with Nigerian specifics: Education and Skills in Nigeria Nigeria’s education system struggles with access and quality. About 10.5 million Nigerian children are out of school – one of the highest numbers in the world borgenproject.org . Factors include poverty, regional inequalities, and in the northeast, conflict that has closed many schools. For those in school, quality varies; many schools are overcrowded and under-resourced. Here is where EdTech and innovation can make a difference. The government and partners have started some initiatives. One is the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) which uses strategies like conditional cash transfers to encourage poor families to send kids to school, and provides free learning materials borgenproject.org . Technology can amplify such efforts: for instance, during COVID, radio and TV school programs were broadcast to keep children learning at home. Looking forward, Nigeria can adopt more widespread e-learning platforms. Imagine if every secondary student had access to a digital library or could take free online courses in coding, languages, or science. Given the scale of Nigeria, solutions might be as simple as loading curriculum content on low-cost SD cards that students can plug into their phones – suddenly a student in a village can access the same practice quizzes as a student in Lagos. A notable success story in tech education is Andela, a company co-founded in Nigeria. Andela set up a learning program that trained young Nigerians (and other Africans) in software development and then connected them with remote jobs in global tech companies. As of a recent count, Andela’s learning community has trained over 100,000 young Africans in tech skills, with many getting well-paid jobs for the first time borgenproject.org . This model of training-to-employment is crucial. It shows that if you give Nigerian youth relevant skills (like coding, data analysis, digital design), and if you connect them to work (sometimes abroad, via the internet), they will excel and earn good incomes. Each such success story not only lifts an individual but often an extended family out of poverty. Local NGOs like Tech4Dev are also making waves. Tech4Dev’s Digital for All program, in partnership with Microsoft and the Nigerian government, has provided digital literacy training to more than 400,000 Nigerians, focusing on rural youth and women borgenproject.org . Participants learn everything from basic computer use to specific job-ready tracks like cybersecurity or programming. Programs like these directly tackle the digital skills gap and ensure that even those outside the big cities aren’t left behind. For Nigeria, bridging the education gap with technology also means addressing infrastructure: many rural schools lack electricity or internet. Solutions include solar-powered ICT labs (some pilot projects exist where shipping containers are outfitted with solar panels and computers and sent to villages) and offline education content. A great example is offline educational apps that don’t require constant internet – students can download lessons when they have connectivity (even if it’s a weekly trip to a town) and then use them offline. Additionally, innovation in education means engaging the huge diaspora. Many educated Nigerians abroad are eager to help; through virtual mentorship or online tutoring programs, they can reach students back home. If Nigeria fails to educate and skill its youth, the consequences are dire – a “demographic dividend” could turn into a demographic disaster with mass unemployment and unrest. But if Nigeria embraces innovation in education, it can turn its youth bulge into an army of entrepreneurs, engineers, teachers, and creators. The country’s own tech sector, as we’ll see next, is already showing what empowered youth can do. Nigeria’s Tech Sector and Entrepreneurship Amid Nigeria’s challenges, there’s an exciting rise of a homegrown tech industry. In Lagos, often dubbed “Africa’s Silicon Valley,” startups are springing up to solve problems and serve Nigeria’s large market. Notably, many of these startups directly address issues related to poverty and inclusion: Fintech in Nigeria: Nigeria’s fintech companies are booming, attracting global investor interest. Two standout examples are Paystack and Flutterwave. Paystack created a simple online payments API that made it easy for Nigerian businesses to accept digital payments; it became such a success that Stripe (a US fintech giant) acquired it for $200 million in 2020. Flutterwave built a platform to enable cross-border payments in Africa and has grown exponentially. In 2021, Flutterwave reached a valuation of $1 billion – making it a unicorn (a privately held startup worth over $1B) cfr.org . To put that in perspective, Flutterwave is now valued about as high as some of Nigeria’s biggest banks, contributing roughly 0.2% of Nigeria’s entire GDP on its own cfr.org . These companies, founded by young Nigerians, show the potential of innovation to create wealth and jobs. They also provide services that help the average person: thanks to fintech, a market seller can use her phone to take payments, or a student can receive money from relatives abroad instantly instead of waiting in bank lines. Agritech startups: Recognizing the importance of farming, startups like Farmcrowdy and ThriveAgric have emerged. They use digital platforms to connect investors to small farmers (providing capital for seeds in exchange for a share of harvest profits) and to connect farmers to buyers more efficiently. Others provide microinsurance to farmers so a bad harvest doesn’t ruin them. There’s also efforts to give farmers smart advisory: e.g., Hello Tractor (an Uber-like system for tractors) lets farmers rent machinery cheaply, boosting productivity. These innovations mean farmers can get out of subsistence mode and start operating more like businesses, earning and planning better. Edtech and Healthtech in Nigeria: Companies like uLesson (an education app with video lessons tailored to West African school curricula) are gaining popularity. uLesson raised significant investment and is reaching students with engaging content via smartphones. In health, startups such as LifeBank use apps and a network of delivery riders to deliver blood and oxygen to hospitals in urgent need, potentially saving thousands of lives that would be lost due to supply delays. Another, Reliance Health, leverages telemedicine and partner clinics to offer affordable health plans to Nigerians. These enterprises show Nigerian innovators applying global tech ideas to local problems effectively. E-commerce and jobs: Platforms like Jumia (often called the “African Amazon”) and Konga have made it easier for small businesses to sell products online, reaching customers beyond their locality. Ride-hailing apps (Uber, Bolt, and local ones) have created income streams for many Nigerians with vehicles. There are also online marketplaces for freelance work where a Nigerian graphic designer or writer can get gigs from clients worldwide, earning dollars. All these digital marketplaces broaden income opportunities beyond the traditional limited local options. The government has taken note of the tech sector’s potential. Nigeria established a Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, and there are various programs and policies aiming to support startups (for example, tech hubs in each region, or the recent Nigeria Startup Act to provide regulatory clarity and support). While bureaucracy and infrastructure remain issues, there’s growing recognition that tech is a key to Nigeria’s future growth. It must be acknowledged, though, that Nigeria’s tech boom is mainly urban-centric (Lagos, Abuja, etc.) and hasn’t yet solved the problems of the rural poor or the jobless youth en masse. This is where scaling is important: How do we take innovations that work in a city and extend them to villages? How do we ensure a young person in Kano or Enugu can partake in the digital economy as easily as one in Lagos? Part of the answer lies in improving power and internet nationwide – a tough but achievable task with political will and investment. Another part is localizing solutions: perhaps more tech hubs in northern Nigeria, more content in Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo and other languages to include non-English speakers. Encouragingly, some initiatives like YouWin! (Youth Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria) have tried to fund youth-led enterprises across the country, not just in tech but any innovative business idea rpublc.com . Digital Inclusion and Youth Empowerment One striking stat we saw earlier: only 12% of Nigerians had adequate internet access as of 2022 borgenproject.org . This shows Nigeria’s digital divide – urban vs rural, rich vs poor – is still huge. The country may have over 100 million internet users by some counts datareportal.com datareportal.com , but quality, affordability, and coverage are concerns. Rural areas lag far behind; many lack even reliable electricity, let alone internet borgenproject.org . For innovation to truly help the majority of Nigerians, these basics must be addressed. The government has plans for broadband expansion – such as aiming for 90% of the population to have access to 4G/5G by 2025. Progress is slow but ongoing, with efforts to lay fiber optics and incentivize telecoms to cover more remote areas. Meanwhile, interim solutions like offline tech and community networks can help. In some Nigerian villages, local teams have set up TV whitespaces (unused TV signal frequencies) to create Wi-Fi hotspots for school use. Others use satellite internet in clinics to enable telehealth. These show that even while waiting for big infrastructure, ingenuity can provide pockets of connectivity. Youth empowerment is the cornerstone. As one Borgen Project report phrased it, youth empowerment in Nigeria is not just development – it’s a matter of national stability borgenproject.org . Training and employing youth in tech fields prevents unrest and drives growth. Programs like the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP), which placed over 20,000 young graduates in work placements by 2024 borgenproject.org , are examples of tackling the education-to-employment gap. If these fellows gain experience and some stay in innovative industries, it’s a win-win. Moreover, when young Nigerians succeed in tech or business, they often help pull others up. We see a culture of mentorship growing – tech meetups, free training bootcamps, etc., often led by those who have “made it.” The more success stories emerge (like a poor kid from a small town who learned programming for free and now works remotely for a U.S. company earning good money), the more other youths are inspired to follow that path instead of, say, risking a dangerous journey abroad in search of greener pastures. There’s truth in the idea that technology can channel the hustle that Nigerians are famous for into productive, legal ventures. What if Nigeria doesn’t embrace innovation? The stark answer: it risks its immense youth potential turning into social upheaval. The International Crisis Group has warned that failure to provide opportunities for Nigeria’s youth could threaten the nation’s stability borgenproject.org . We’ve seen flashes of this – internet-fueled protests, rising cybercrime among frustrated talented youth (so-called “Yahoo boys”), and even recruitment into extremist groups in economically neglected areas. On the other hand, with innovation, Nigeria could become an engine of growth not only for itself but for all of Africa. A prosperous, tech-driven Nigeria means a huge market for goods, a source of solutions for other countries (Nigerian fintechs expanding across Africa, for example), and perhaps even a brain gain (diaspora Nigerians returning home to invest and work, as some have started doing). In summary, Nigeria exemplifies the battle between an old status quo of poverty and a new horizon of prosperity driven by tech. The country has everything needed to win that battle: vibrant youth, entrepreneurial spirit, and even money (Nigeria’s economy is large, just not evenly distributed or efficiently utilized). By doubling down on innovation, education, and inclusion, Nigeria can unlock the brilliance of its 200 million people. The reward would be enormous – tens of millions lifted into the middle class, a more stable society, and a model for other African nations. Conclusion: A Future of Inclusive Prosperity Standing at the intersection of technology and poverty, one cannot help but feel a mix of concern and hope. Concern, because without deliberate action, the same technologies that hold promise could deepen divides – leaving the poorest behind or even taking away their jobs. But overwhelming hope, because never in history have we had tools so powerful to uplift people everywhere. The stories and data we’ve explored – from a Kenyan mobile-money service freeing women to start businesses, to an AI tutoring a child in math, to Nigerian teens launching world-class startups – all paint a picture of what’s possible. Innovation and technology are bridges. They can connect a child in a slum to a world-class education resource. They can connect a farmer to fair prices and best practices, a small entrepreneur to a global market, a patient to a distant specialist, and a citizen to their government services without bribes or long travel. These bridges, however, don’t build themselves. We must build them intentionally and ensure they are open to all. This means investing in infrastructure, yes, but also investing in people – their skills, their awareness, and their ability to use technology safely and effectively. It also means rethinking measures of progress. Economic growth alone is not enough if it’s not inclusive. A country might have rising GDP due to oil or one tech unicorn company, but if millions are still in poverty, the job isn’t done. We should measure success in how many people cross from poverty into middle-class stability – able to comfortably afford housing, food, education, healthcare, and maybe a few comforts – and how few fall back down. By that measure, innovation’s true success will be seen in smiling, healthier children, empowered workers, and communities that can withstand shocks (be it pandemics, climate, or economic shifts). There will be bumps along the road. Some jobs will disappear, but new ones will come – if we prepare. Some policies will fail, but we can learn and adjust. The key is to keep the human-centred vision: technology is not an end, but a means to human development. Responsible use of AI and innovation can amplify our best qualities – creativity, collaboration, problem-solving – and minimize the drudgery or barriers that kept so many in poverty for so long. It’s fitting to end with a glimpse into the future we can achieve. Imagine it’s the year 2035. Global poverty has sharply declined. One report notes that with concerted efforts, AI and inclusive technologies have helped lift 100 million people out of poverty by 2030 medium.com , fulfilling a United Nations prediction. In a village in Nigeria, a girl who once had no access to secondary school now regularly attends virtual classes via a solar-powered community tablet and plans to become a biomedical engineer. In that same village, her older brother, once unemployed, now earns a decent living providing drone delivery services to nearby farms – a job that didn’t exist 15 years prior. Their mother, a farmer, has doubled her crop yields using an AI advisor that texts her when to water and how to tackle soil issues. Their father, who is diabetic, checks in monthly with a doctor in the city through a telehealth kiosk at the local clinic and gets his medicines delivered by motorcycle taxi. The family’s extra income goes into a savings account on their phones, maybe helping them start a small side business of their own. This family is not “poor” anymore by any standard – they have choices and chances. Multiply this story by millions, across continents, and you see a world where poverty is not a life sentence but a challenge we overcame. This future is within our grasp, but only if we act with urgency and compassion. Innovation will march on regardless; the question is whether we apply it to uplift those who need it most. As individuals, we can support initiatives and policies that spread tech access. As communities, we can welcome new ideas and not fear them. As nations and a global community, we can share knowledge and not leave any country behind in this digital revolution. In closing, bridging the gap between poverty and the middle class is the moral and practical imperative of our time. Technology – especially AI – is a powerful tool to achieve it, but like any tool, it depends on how we use it. Let’s use it to tear down the walls of ignorance, illness, and isolation that trap people in poverty. Let’s replace those walls with bridges of connectivity, education, and opportunity. The journey is challenging, but the destination – a world where a child’s potential is not dictated by where she is born or what her parents earn – is certainly worth it. The famous Nigerian author Chinua Achebe once said, “For wherever two or three of us are gathered together, it is our stories that will unite us.” The story of innovation and poverty can be one of unity – the human family coming together to ensure everyone rises. Let’s write that story together, one innovation, one policy, one empowered person at a time, until the gap is closed and we all move forward into a brighter, more prosperous future. Sources: World Bank, United Nations, IMF, UNESCO, McKinsey Global Institute, Council on Foreign Relations, Borgen Project, and other reports and data on digital inclusion, AI, and poverty reduction worldbank.org blogs.worldbank.org worldbank.org news.mit.edu blogs.worldbank.org medium.com mckinsey.com borgenproject.org borgenproject.org premiumtimesng.com medium.com borgenproject.org cfr.org borgenproject.org borgenproject.org medium.com .