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The Intelligence from The Economist

Down to the wires: Africa’s digital lag

The Intelligence from The Economist

The Economist

Daily News, Global News, News

4.53.7K Ratings

🗓️ 30 July 2024

⏱️ 24 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

The dearth of fixed-line infrastructure that allowed the continent to leapfrog into the mobile-phone age now holds it back. We ask how to ensure the even spread of AI’s dividends. A stinking Seine has delayed the Olympic triathlon, but the river could one day help clean up Paris (7:09). And how “The Blair Witch Project” changed horror films (14:33). 


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Transcript

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0:00.0

The famous five are away on a splendid weekend adventure.

0:03.5

Do we have to go home today?

0:05.5

sighed Anne.

0:06.5

I agree said Dick.

0:08.0

Even Timmy looks sad.

0:09.5

Cheer up everyone.

0:11.5

Beams Julian, I booked long weekend tickets we can return anytime on Monday

0:17.0

Oh you are clever Julian said Anne save over 50% with the long weekend a ticket from Great Western Railway.

0:24.5

Adventures start here.

0:26.0

Selected routes turn supply.

0:27.6

Saving in comparison to an anytime return fare. The Economist. Hello and welcome'm Jason Palmer.

0:45.0

Every weekday we provide a fresh perspective on the events shaping your world.

0:54.0

Oh Paris, the enchanting buildings, the tranquility of the CEN, or perhaps not. the And 25 years ago this month the Blair Witch Project scared the crap out of me and a whole generation of cinema goers.

1:20.0

Was it real? If it wasn't, was the cast in on the ruse? We look at how one dirt cheap movie changed the whole genre. But first. What are you doing?

1:44.0

sending some MTN credit to my mom in Nigeria.

1:47.0

So you send her the PIN number and she has to struggle with...

1:49.0

No.

1:50.0

I send the credit directly to her phone.

1:52.0

She doesn't have to do anything. It's like magic.

1:54.8

Look.

1:56.8

Two decades ago a digital revolution transformed the lives and livelihoods of millions of people.

2:08.4

As mobile phones swept across sub-Saharan Africa, they allowed farmers to get weather forecasts. They

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