Ideas

Our home for arguments, opinions, and essays. We prioritize local voices — entrepreneurs, workers, activists, politicians, regulators, end users — to highlight local ideas with global implications.

Ideas 27 September 2022

Japan struggles to give up floppy disks and fax machines for the digital age

The tricky task falls to Kono Taro, Japan’s maverick tech crusader

By Roland Kelts

Ideas 21 September 2022

How TikTok became an e-commerce juggernaut in China

The company made the right bets on live shopping, but it's struggled to bring that success overseas.

By Rui Ma

Ideas 2 August 2022

How Uganda became Africa’s digital transport hub

Ride-hailing startups like SafeBoda and Easy Matatu are changing the semi-informal transport ecosystems. But can the platform effect bring order and healthy profits to a chaotic commuter system?

By Yinka Adegoke

Ideas 19 July 2022

The global downturn is real, but the allure of Africa’s digital markets hasn’t changed

“Investors will want to see numbers, it’s all about unit economics again – not just ‘vibes’.”

By Yinka Adegoke

Ideas 29 June 2022

Singapore’s proposed online safety laws look like more censorship in disguise

If the government appoints itself Guardian of the Internet, its citizens will never learn how to navigate a messy online world.

By Kirsten Han

Ideas 28 June 2022

This deported hacker used his tech skills to re-enter the U.S.

But his prowess with a computer put him in the crosshairs of the wrong people.

By Levi Vonk

Ideas 16 June 2022

What Chinese media reveals about Shein’s secretive operations

A glimpse into the e-commerce giant’s ruthless efficiency.

By Rui Ma

Ideas 3 June 2022

Investors poured into Africa’s startup funding frenzy. Now they’re taking their time

Venture firms never challenged the fuzzy data behind top valuations, but with an imminent cool-off in funding, some are asking tough questions.

By Yinka Adegoke

Ideas 17 May 2022

Why Chinese sellers are quitting Amazon

Amazon once helped China’s exporters reach a huge and lucrative audience. Now, they urgently need to wean themselves off.

By Rui Ma

Ideas 12 May 2022

Japan once led global tech innovation. How did it fall so behind?

For decades, the country's tech triumphs have disguised its seized-up digital systems.

By Roland Kelts

Ideas 11 May 2022

Why founders are the lifeblood of global tech ecosystems

The founders on Rest of World’s inaugural list of global tech’s changemakers share common traits of resilience, grit and adaptability in the face of political and economic uncertainties.

By Yinka Adegoke

Ideas 30 March 2022

Buy or get bought: African tech is on a mergers and acquisitions spree

Flush with VC investment, companies are under great pressure to scale rapidly or cash out.

By Yinka Adegoke

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Ideas

Japan struggles to give up floppy disks and fax machines for the digital age

How TikTok became an e-commerce juggernaut in China

How Uganda became Africa’s digital transport hub

The global downturn is real, but the allure of Africa’s digital markets hasn’t changed

Singapore’s proposed online safety laws look like more censorship in disguise

This deported hacker used his tech skills to re-enter the U.S.

What Chinese media reveals about Shein’s secretive operations

Investors poured into Africa’s startup funding frenzy. Now they’re taking their time

Why Chinese sellers are quitting Amazon

Japan once led global tech innovation. How did it fall so behind?

Why founders are the lifeblood of global tech ecosystems

Buy or get bought: African tech is on a mergers and acquisitions spree