Covid-19 lifts computing sector to new heights

In any crisis, there are tailwinds and headwinds. Covid-19 pandemic has been a headwind to the world economy, dealing industries and markets a devastating blow. As vicious as it has been, Covid-19 has sparked a historical high demand for personal computers, thanks to the changes in working and studying habits.

Since the virus struck, there was an exponential demand for laptops, desktops and tablets. The world’s three biggest computer companies, Lenovo, HP and Dell, cannot come close to coping with the skyrocketing global demand: orders are taking many months to fulfill.

Furthermore, even when the computers become available, businesses must contend with a handicapped shipping process. Because of the current international transport restrictions, airline capacity has crunched, thereby undermining international trade.

Low-end laptops

In particular, the world suffers an acute shortage of low-end laptops, which primary and high-school kids use for their online schooling. Chromebooks and other low-cost PCs are also the tools of choice for most budget-strapped families and companies that want to keep their organisation’s engine humming but cannot afford the top-branded computers.

Worse, the pandemic struck shortly after China — the world-leading manufacturer of computers— had just resumed operations after shutting down to celebrate New Year festivities.

This desperate situation, however, comes with opportunities. Kenya needs to step up the local production of computers and computer parts. The demand for computers will keep soaring, not only in the country but in the region, expanding the market size. The wide adoption of computing technology also widens the doors for software developers to keep creating new computer applications to meet existing business needs and spark more innovations.

Computer technology is the rising tide that lifts all boats. Due to the ubiquitous use of computer technology, the government should provide tax and regulatory incentives to encourage more investors in the sector and to catalyse faster adoption of technology, not only in the cities and well-endowed towns, but across the country, from border to border.

Adoption of technology

Kenya should also charm Chinese investors to set technology base locally in partnership with local investors. This will be a faster path to establishing factories for making computer components.

Scientists have warned that until there is a widely available vaccine and most of the world’s population is vaccinated, we are not out of the woods yet. On the other hand, economists project that it may take up to a decade to undo the damage Covid-19 will leave behind.

Pricked by these realities, many countries are busy laying the groundwork necessary to crawl out of the economic slump and to insulate their economies against future pandemics.

Here is my point: Covid-19 has dealt us a big blow, but it has also hatched big opportunities particularly in the computing sector. The government must incentivise the technology industry. It must inspire speedier and widescale production of computers and their parts. It must also level the ground for its wide adoption.

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