In our previous blog post, we explored the latest IT infrastructure trends and the ways in which businesses are adapting to meet the changing demands of the digital landscape. From the rise of cloud computing to the increasing importance of cybersecurity, we examined the key developments that are shaping the IT infrastructure landscape today. Building on that foundation, we’ll take a closer look at what the future holds for IT infrastructure and how organizations can prepare for the changes ahead.
According to industry experts, some of the key trends that will shape East Africa’s tech landscape include the following:
1. Increased Cloud Solutions Adoptions
As more and more enterprises in East Africa understand the need and benefits of cloud solutions, we expect to see rapid adoption of the technology in 2023.
Cloud solutions provide flexibility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness, making them an attractive option for organizations looking to streamline their operations.
Hybrid cloud environments will become even more popular in East Africa. Such a cloud model allows organizations to take advantage of the benefits of both public and private clouds while ensuring sensitive data security.
2. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Automation
According to Gartner, a research firm, over 50% of organizations will use industry cloud platforms to accelerate their business initiatives by 2027.
Automation and AI are crucial for digital continuance, preservation, and helping modern organizations drive efficiency. Indeed, contemporary cloud platforms leverage AI and automation for enhanced analytics to streamline operations, improve customer experiences, and gain a competitive advantage.
With AI and machine learning advancements, many organizations will increasingly incorporate AI-based cloud technologies into their operations in 2023 and beyond.
For example, AI and cloud computing will work hand in hand to improve many business operations.
3. The Emergence of Edge Computing
Edge computing is another trend likely to dominate IT infrastructure in the coming years. Edge computing refers to processing data closer to where it is being made, which increases processing speed and volume, resulting in high actionable real-time results.
With the rise of mobile, cloud adoption, IoT devices, and the need for real-time data processing, edge computing is expected to gain traction and prominence in East Africa. Edge computing allows data processing closer to the source, which reduces latency and improves efficiency.
As technology grows, edge computing technology will be helpful in industries such as healthcare, agriculture, and logistics.
4. Platform Engineering
Platform engineering is also high-likely to grow as an IT Infrastructure trend. It will become increasingly handy to help software developers deal with complex application issues. This trend is gaining popularity because it can help optimize software engineers’ and developers’ experiences, ensuring maximum efficiency and productivity in their work.
5. Secure Access Service Edge (SASE)
SASE is a network architecture solution that combines software-defined wide area networking (SD-WAN) and security functions into a unified cloud service. Specifically, SASE enables safe and secure connections for internal applications for companies from anywhere. It also accords organizations better access and control over data and traffic that comes and goes from their internal network.
6. Accelerated Cybersecurity Investments
As more regional organizations shift their operations to the cloud, the need for stable and robust cybersecurity solutions will become increasingly critical. In East Africa, we can expect increased investment in cybersecurity strategies and solutions, including firewalls, intrusion detectors, encryption systems, and more.
Organizations will likely implement 100% dedicated, single-tenant, bare metal server solutions to enhance secure, stable, and reliable cloud infrastructure and applications.
7. Acceleration of Local Data Centers
Many organizations in East Africa rely on data centers outside the East Africa region. As the future unfolds, there will be a growing need for local data centers to provide faster data processing speeds and greater control over data access and storage. This makes them an attractive option for organizations with sensitive data, such as healthcare and governmental institutions.
The abovementioned trends are expected to drive cloud growth, innovation, and new opportunities for businesses in East Africa. As such, companies in the region need to stay up-to-date with the latest developments in IT infrastructure and cloud solutions.
Conclusion
Adopting IT infrastructure and cloud solutions in East Africa is helping businesses become more agile, efficient, and productive. As the East Africa region continues to grow and evolve, the cloud computing market in East Africa looks bright. It is expected to grow significantly in 2023, driven by the increasing demand for digital services, optimized IT infrastructures, and the need to improve efficiency and competitiveness.
Undoubtedly, there will be increased adoption of cloud solutions, the emergence of edge computing, the growth of different cloud models, AI and automation, platform engineering, increased investment in cybersecurity, SASE, and the development of local data centers. By staying up-to-date with these and more trends and investing in the right technology solutions, organizations in East Africa can remain efficient and productive and support the region’s continued growth and development.
The market is also dynamic and rapidly changing, and these trends are subject to change based on the evolving landscape. However, despite challenges, several opportunities can be leveraged by cloud services providers to offer tailored solutions that meet their needs and overall help businesses in the region succeed, grow, and expand.
