There is something far more important than the World Cup happening in South Africa in 2010. In 2010, a second Internet revolution will begin to transform Southern and Eastern Africa. In fact, the transformation is already underway. Over the last decade, the first Internet revolution transformed business, government and society in mature economies. Africa has experienced these changes too. But their full effect has been dampened by the lack of affordable and competitive telecommunications services, along with substandard infrastructure. In 2009, there has been a radical shift in the availability of broadband network services. The barriers to communication and network infrastructure improvements have been removed and African businesses have leapt at the opportunity to compete on a more level playing field.

The change began in July, with the 'go live' of the Seacom cable. By 2012, Gartner expects bandwidth in South Africa to triple from what it was in 2009. The effect on price and capacity is already noticeable and will be dramatic through the end of 2011.

This is an innovation that we have long anticipated and called for at Gartner. The essential role that affordable bandwidth and telecommunications has played in the development of the Internet-based economy will now be fully available to all of Southern Africa, empowering individuals and transforming businesses. However, Africa finds itself in a unique position. Long forced to deal with sub-standard infrastructure, Africans have called on their naturally innovative natures to overcome this. Now, as Africa becomes a full participant in the knowledge economy, it can again turn to that resourcefulness and innovative spirit. It's time to position African businesses not only to be more globally competitive, but to be truly world class. As the world's leading IT research firm, we have been in a position to predict, observe and advise our clients during the Internet-fueled growth and change that has occurred over the last ten years. Let us help you ride the next wave of innovation that is going to occur in Africa beginning in 2010. Ke nako. It's time.

"In the midst of economic crisis, companies and governments should not underestimate the formational impact that a globally ubiquitous internet will have on the post-recession world. Their agile competitors will not." Dr. Paul Towney, President of ICANN.