Scalability and Stability in Cloud-Native Applications: Lessons from Docker and Kubernetes Deployments

The impact of containerization extends far beyond developed markets, reaching from Africa to other emerging economies where these technologies’ flexibility and cost-effectiveness attract both startups and established enterprises. While discussions often center on Silicon Valley companies, understanding containerization's role in regions facing infrastructure challenges and unstable Internet connectivity deserves greater attention. This perspective is particularly relevant as containerization technologies could play a crucial role in bridging the digital division in African markets and other developing regions. To thoroughly examine these concepts, this chapter begins by precisely defining key terms and exploring various stakeholder perspectives on containerization technologies. Following this foundation, I analyze the topic through the lens of performance optimization and systems distribution theories. The discussion then moves to a comparative analysis of Docker and Kubernetes in different deployment contexts and examining their practical applications and challenges. Finally, the chapter concludes with practical guidelines for businesses looking to adopt these technologies and recommendations for future research in this rapidly evolving field. This structured approach ensures a comprehensive examination of how containerization technologies can address scalability and stability challenges across diverse global contexts.