Trends
The Internet of Things and Africa's next generation of builders
The Internet of Things (IoT) means physical devices that sense, connect and act: soil moisture sensors on farms, smart meters for electricity and water, cold-chain monitors for vaccines and weather stations.
IoT in Africa
African innovators are using IoT to:
- help farmers decide when to irrigate;
- track pay-as-you-go solar systems;
- monitor water pumps in rural areas;
- keep medicines at the right temperature.
Skills IoT needs
- electronics and circuits;
- sensors and measurement;
- programming microcontrollers;
- data handling and analysis;
- design thinking.
Learning IoT at school
Students can start with circuits and logic in virtual labs, then move to real devices.
The VR Labs Africa IoT Lab
Our IoT Lab at Ramco Courts, South C, Nairobi, gives learners hands-on experience with real sensors, microcontrollers and connected devices. Schools can book visits, and bootcamps include lab time where possible.
From learners to builders
Many IoT solutions in Africa come from young local entrepreneurs who understand local problems. Early hands-on experience helps more young people become builders, not just users, of technology.