TED: You don't need an app for that | Toby Shapshak

The video discusses the innovative spirit in Africa, highlighting how necessity drives real problem-solving. It showcases examples like M-Pesa, a mobile payment system, and other technological advancements that have global impacts. The speaker emphasizes that Africa is a mobile-first continent, solving real-world problems with available resources, and positions mobile technology as the new economic gold. The narrative challenges the perception of Africa as a 'dark continent' and instead presents it as a hub of innovation.

Which technology was pioneered in Africa and is now a dominant economic force worldwide?

• Credit cards

• Smartphones

• Pay as you go

• Internet banking

Who is the inventor associated with the creation of the 'dollars' used in harbors worldwide?

• Henry Ford

• Eric Merrifield

• Nikola Tesla

• Thomas Edison

What is the primary function of the M-Pesa system in Africa?

• Social networking

• Financial transactions

• Weather forecasting

• Educational services

What percentage of Kenya's GDP is transacted through M-Pesa?

• 60%

• 40%

• 25%

• 10%

What is considered the 'gold of today' according to the speaker?

• Natural gas

• Cryptocurrency

• Oil

• Mobile technology

What innovative use of mobile technology helps verify medication authenticity in Africa?

• Barcode scanning

• SMS verification

• QR code scanning

• Voice recognition

What is the main reason for innovation in Africa, as discussed in the video?

• Foreign investments

• Government initiatives

• Abundance of resources

• Necessity due to real problems