Learning to Build Big

In recent months, I've been trying to learn coding, programming, and the process behind building the many apps and products we see today. I've always been fascinated by tech, but now, seeing firsthand how challenging it is to write functional code—let alone develop a full-scale program or project—I have a newfound respect for the tools that simplify our lives. But that’s not the main point I want to discuss here.

I’d like to build on an article I wrote at the start of the year where I asked _“Why can't we in Africa, particularly in Uganda, build large businesses that go on to dominate global markets?”_ I shared an inspiring video from Vusi Thembekwayo called “The Big Lie of Small Business,” which resonated with me. Recently, I’ve felt a similar sentiment while exploring the tech industry.

When I tried to find developers to partner with on a project, it was discouraging. Good developers are often already committed to projects. Some don’t show up for meetings, others lack the necessary skills to pull off large-scale projects, and a few just see it as a quick payday, not understanding the commitment a startup requires—they want big pay upfront.

The concept of venture capital here isn’t well-developed, making funding very hard to come by. So, partnering seemed like the most viable option. That led me to start learning coding myself—to understand the technical challenges, help out where I can, and share the burden when I eventually find the right partner.

Although I haven't found someone yet, the more I research, the more excited I get. It's incredible how much opportunity there is to automate and streamline operations and processes.

With the rapid advancements in tech, just watching any tech news channel on YouTube fills me with excitement. AI and Big Data alone have the potential to revolutionize African real estate through tools like:

- Predictive analytics for forecasting property price fluctuations and demand patterns
- Enhanced decision-making for buyers, sellers, and developers
- Personalized experiences to improve user interaction
- Fraud detection—a significant challenge affecting trust and professionalism in many markets

Several obstacles currently hinder this adoption, such as:

- Issues with data quality and accessibility
- A shortage of skilled professionals in AI and data science
- Infrastructure limitations
- The lack of clear regulations governing AI and Big Data in sectors like real estate

Seeing what I have seen and writing all this I feel naively optimistic—but still believe that it's possible.

So I would like to ask this:

**What do you think is the next big trend in real estate technology?**
_Share your thoughts in the comments below._

#realestate #AI #BigData #Africa #technology