Africa is verging on a growth explosion. At least, that’s what many are hoping for. A new report from the McKinsey Global Institute predicts a $300 billion jump in the continent’s GDP by 2025 – if the internet grows as proposed. Although McKinsey tends to fall on the optimistic side of the curve, it’s not alone. According to Digital Africa, a 2011 Economist exposé on the topic, back then at least a quarter of Mogadishu’s residents accessed the internet once a week, a considerable number when you consider Somalia’s perpetual state of war.

The point is that Africa clearly has a hunger for getting connected. Standing in the way are infrastructure shortfalls and political will, but those attitudes are changing. In 2009, one submarine cable serviced the continent; today, there are over 15. And leaders are waking up to the possibilities: Rwanda has been prolific in providing connectivity to its citizens and all of the 19 countries profiled in the McKinsey report Lions Go Digital have policies towards pushing internet development. Google and Facebook are spending a lot digitising the continent and smartphone sales in Africa are on an unprecedented hot streak. Even though it’s fair to be cautious around the continent’s tech prospects, there’s enough reason to keep that champagne ready.