A promising initiative

Since the announcement of the introduction of the so-called $100 laptop (some calling it ‘laptop note book’), some two years ago, the project is finally finding its way to the Gambia, after trials in a handful of other countries in the sub-region, among them Nigeria and Senegal.

Mr Bruce Baikei, the founder and CEO of the company that is behind this noble initiative, was the guest of the Daily Observer, on Tuesday afternoon; he was in our offices with his two Gambian counterparts, both Economics & Management students at the University of The Gambia.

Accordingly, ours was one of the several institutions the trio was visiting as part of their mission to ascertain the suitability of the country to host a potentially productive venture; productive not only in terms of the investment prospects embedded therein, but also because of the fact that it marks the beginning of a revolution in the country’s education sector. Computer technology plays a great role in modern trends of education, in terms of enhancing easy facilitation of learning and understanding.

Among the reasons for Africa’s continued underdevelopment, even in the face of this competitive world, in which opportunities abound, is the fact that the promotion of technology had not been at the forefront of the development agenda of most countries in the region. But this trend, it seems, is taking a turn for the better, as countries like The Gambia are increasingly becoming a formidable force in these areas.  

The one-laptop-per-student project was conceived primarily for students in the less developed part of the world, The Gambia included. This latest development is another boost for the country’s fledgling business industry, and it reaffirms the influence of the signal of stability in the country, in the eyes of the international community.   Mr Baikei, after his visit to the various, relevant department, appeared visibly upbeat about the prospect of the success of the project here.