Africa must take greater control of its digital future by becoming a creator and regulator of technology rather than remaining a passive consumer, Deputy Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Mohammed Adam Sukparu said at the eLearning Africa 2026 conference.
Delivering a keynote address on behalf of Communication Minister Samuel Nartey George at the 19th edition of the eLearning Africa Conference, Sukparu said the continent needs to assert ownership over its data, digital infrastructure and emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, to ensure they align with African priorities and realities.
He added that Ghana’s decision to host the gathering was intended to signal Africa’s growing role in shaping global digital policy and innovation.
The event seeks to accelerate digital transformation, expand internet access, and develop local technology ecosystems amid rising global competition in artificial intelligence and data-driven services.
While acknowledging progress in expanding connectivity and deploying digital solutions across education, healthcare, agriculture and public administration, Sukparu warned that much of the infrastructure supporting those systems remains developed and controlled outside the continent.
“Most of the digital systems that run our economies were built outside Africa, by people outside Africa, for purposes that do not always put Africa first,” he said.
The deputy minister said the challenge extends beyond cybersecurity and data protection frameworks, arguing that public trust in digital systems depends on whether they are designed to meet the needs of local populations.
He cited Ghana’s efforts to strengthen digital governance through institutions such as the Data Protection Commission and the Cyber Security Authority, but stressed that inclusion and relevance are equally important.
“Learners trust platforms that reflect their languages and their lives,” he added.
The comments highlight growing concerns among African policymakers that foreign-developed technologies may fail to adequately represent local cultures, languages and socioeconomic conditions, potentially deepening existing inequalities.
Sukparu said the issue is becoming increasingly urgent as Africa’s population continues to expand. With about 60% of Africans under the age of 25, he said governments must accelerate investments in digital skills to prepare young people for a technology-driven economy.
He pointed to Ghana’s digital training initiatives, which have already equipped hundreds of thousands of citizens with technology skills. The government’s One Million Coders Programme is expected to train an additional 300,000 people in coding and digital competencies by the end of the year.
Artificial intelligence was a central focus of the address, with Sukparu warning against the uncritical adoption of AI tools developed outside the continent, particularly in education.
AI systems trained on non-African datasets risk embedding biases and producing outcomes that do not reflect local realities, he said.
“Who answers when an AI system gets a child’s future wrong?” he asked.
The deputy minister called for governments to play a leading role in ensuring the ethical deployment of AI, especially in sensitive sectors such as education, where automated decisions can have long-term consequences.
