Apologies, C comes before I in the alphabet recital and that might show some bias.

I had this short back and forth with a techie on Facebook about which should be done in Africa – innovating or copycatting?

What does it matter?
To me, It’s not an either or issue.

Innovation is creating new stuff out of nothing, out of something, or out of some things.

Copycatting is copying all or part of something or some things.

Which makes them almost the same.

A copycat may be innovative in terms of implemention and market response strategies even if the core model remains the same as the so called original.

Think MTN, Glo, Etisalat and the rest.

I must also confess, the so called extreme innovator stands the risk of being called an idiot, or actually being an idiot.

Till the idea is proved. Then idiot becomes genius.

Think Foursquare and Steve Jobs.

Fellas, bring it on! Innovatives and copycats are all welcome.

Leave Comment