Ghana’s Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has issued a call for a continental reset to shift Africa from what he termed “digital dependence” to “digital determination,” urging countries across the region to actively shape their own technological futures.
“This is the moment for a reset, a shift from digital dependence to digital determination, from consumption to creation. Africa must build infrastructure, regulate responsibly, and foster innovations that reflect the realities of its people,” George said during his keynote address at the 10th anniversary of Mobex Africa in Accra.
The remarks come at a pivotal time for African economies, as governments grapple with the need to build sovereign digital infrastructure and scale tech talent to compete in the AI-driven global economy. George warned that without deliberate action, Africa risks being a passive consumer in the global tech landscape.
Ghana’s Strategic Push
In outlining Ghana’s digital strategy, George unveiled several national initiatives designed to position the country as a regional innovation hub. Chief among them is the $1 billion Ghana-UAE Tech and Innovation Hub, under development in Dawa. The facility is expected to attract global technology companies while fostering a local innovation ecosystem.
The minister also emphasized the “One Million Coders Programme,” a nationwide initiative aimed at training one million youth in artificial intelligence and machine learning over the next four years. The program, he said, is a cornerstone of Ghana’s ambition to become the AI capital of West Africa.
Other key initiatives include:
- The establishment of a National Data Exchange, a secure platform to facilitate data sharing between public and private entities.
- The preparation of 15 new ICT legislative bills to align Ghana’s regulatory framework with emerging global technology standards.
Elevating AI to a National Imperative
Underscoring the urgency of the moment, Sam George declared AI to be a present mandate rather than a future aspiration.
“AI is not a future ambition, it is a present-day mandate. Every MDA must be AI-ready. Data is the new oil and dare I say, the new gold. But it must be governed by trust, policy, and foresight,” he said.
He pointed to a recent Ministerial AI Bootcamp organized under the leadership of President Mahama as a signal of Ghana’s commitment to digital leadership, a move he described as “rare” on the African continent.
In a closing appeal to public and private stakeholders, Sm George called for bold action over rhetoric.
“Let us build African infrastructure, not just towers but platforms. Let us invest in innovation not as charity, but as strategy. Let us define Africa’s digital destiny, not by default, but by design.”
