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> One of the top 3 infrastructure challenges in Africa is internet connectivity (the other 2 are electricity and healthcare). What about roads and water? "Acco

> One of the top 3 infrastructure challenges in Africa is internet connectivity (the other 2 are electricity and healthcare). What about roads and water? "According to a report for the World Bank, average road density on the continent is 204 kilometres of road per 1000 square kilometres of land area – only a quarter of which is paved. In contrast, the world average is 944 kilometres per 1000 square kilometres with more than half paved." [1] Not that I expect a YC company to solve African roads... [1] https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg22129512-800-africas-road-building-frenzy-will-transform-continent/ https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg22129512-800-africas-...

spullara 10y ago
With enough electricity, healthcare and internet there isn't nearly as much need for roads and water.
- jychang 10y ago
  I'm sorry, but need for basic infrastructure like WATER does not disappear when you receive internet and electricity.
  - dvanduzer 10y ago
    enough electricity lets you desalinate, DUH
    - dpc59 10y ago
      desalination requires infrastructure, and most of the water needs are in places like the sahel which are super far from the sea, the problem isn't desalination, it's that there's no water in the ground in some geographic locations
- estsauver 10y ago
  As someone who spent a lot of time delivering fertilizer and seed in rural Kenya, you're really wrong about this Sam. Even the best regional roads in Africa are two lane roads. Unlike the US, cars have highly variable top speeds though, which means nearly constant passing. Cars will drive in the wrong lane for significant periods of time and hastily merge back. But there are large number of buses that are heavily incentive to go quickly at any cost, so they will often off road and suddenly pass on the left. I've seen a two lane road with 5 lanes of traffic on it. That's the best case scenario. A large chunk of the country is only accessible via rough road spurs. If you're trying to deliver, say hypothetically, 10 tons of fertilizer and seed on the back of a truck, it means you're going 10mph instead of 45mph. My family worries about me getting murdered in Kenya or the government suddenly melting down, but really traffic is what they should be worried about. And this is Kenya, which is one of the most developed countries in E. Africa. There's a real need for some more roads.

spullara 10y ago

With enough electricity, healthcare and internet there isn't nearly as much need for roads and water.

jychang 10y ago
I'm sorry, but need for basic infrastructure like WATER does not disappear when you receive internet and electricity.
- dvanduzer 10y ago
  enough electricity lets you desalinate, DUH
  - dpc59 10y ago
    desalination requires infrastructure, and most of the water needs are in places like the sahel which are super far from the sea, the problem isn't desalination, it's that there's no water in the ground in some geographic locations
estsauver 10y ago
As someone who spent a lot of time delivering fertilizer and seed in rural Kenya, you're really wrong about this Sam. Even the best regional roads in Africa are two lane roads. Unlike the US, cars have highly variable top speeds though, which means nearly constant passing. Cars will drive in the wrong lane for significant periods of time and hastily merge back. But there are large number of buses that are heavily incentive to go quickly at any cost, so they will often off road and suddenly pass on the left. I've seen a two lane road with 5 lanes of traffic on it. That's the best case scenario. A large chunk of the country is only accessible via rough road spurs. If you're trying to deliver, say hypothetically, 10 tons of fertilizer and seed on the back of a truck, it means you're going 10mph instead of 45mph. My family worries about me getting murdered in Kenya or the government suddenly melting down, but really traffic is what they should be worried about. And this is Kenya, which is one of the most developed countries in E. Africa. There's a real need for some more roads.