News
IAS Baraza
1st July 2026
Lounge Talk on Silicon Elsewhere by Andrea Pollio
On 1 July 2026, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm, the Chair of Sociology in Africa invites students, researchers, and colleagues to a lounge talk on Andrea Pollio’s recent book Silicon Elsewhere: Nairobi, China and the Promise of Technocapital.
The book explores Nairobi’s emergence as Africa’s “Silicon Savannah” and examines how technological innovation, venture capital, and China’s growing digital presence are reshaping the city and its place in the global economy. Based on extensive ethnographic research, Pollio sheds light on the connections between technology, development, and global capitalism, while highlighting Nairobi’s role as an important site of contemporary technological experimentation.
The event will bring together Prof. Stefan Ouma (Economic Geography) and Prof. Jia-Hui Lee (Science and Technology Studies) for a discussion of the book’s key arguments and broader implications for debates on technology, development, infrastructure, and Global China.
We warmly welcome all interested participants to join the conversation.
More information about the book: Silicon Elsewhere by Andrea Pollio - Paper