The United Nations Resident Coordinator in Ghana, Charles Abani, has raised a red flag that unless Africa prioritizes and invests in technology, the continent risks being left behind in the global pursuit of prosperity.
Speaking during a panel discussion titled ‘Scaling Your Business Through Strategic Technology Investment’ on January 30, at the 2025 Africa Prosperity Dialogue held at the Accra International Conference Centre, Abani said technological advancement for the continent was no longer an option but a necessity.
“Technology is crucial to our prosperity. We cannot afford to ignore the transformative power of technology. Without it, we risk falling behind. Just look at how rapidly artificial intelligence (AI) has evolved—what seemed impossible just a week ago is now a reality,” Abani said.
Abani said that growth and economic success for Africa were highly related to and dependent on its ability to adapt and embrace technology in all fields.
He added that the world was currently changing at an increasingly fast rate into new technologies, and as such, Africa had little time to waste if it was not to lag behind. He cited the rapidly changing pace of AI and other digital advancements as proof of the power of technology to change the face of industries and economies around the world.
“The evidence is clear businesses that ignore the role of technology are bound to fail. The rise of AI, innovation in tech startups, and digital transformation in industries around the world demonstrate the importance of embracing technology. Technology is no longer just a game-changer; it’s essential,” he added.
He also pointed out that without recognizing the inalienable place of technology, businesses and governments cannot keep pace with the tide of events.
According to Abani, those that fail to interject technology into their operations in the emerging very competitive global landscape stand the danger of being bypassed. Abani also described Africa’s young population as an important asset, nearly half of its population was under age 25. Such a population can act as an impetus toward innovation and enable Africa to push its way to enter a new phase of development through technological change.
Abani singled out the need to empower women in the digital revolution that is sweeping through Africa, underlining that it is women who have led and are leading some of the most successful enterprises on the continent and are at the very heart of shaping its economic future. He urged deliberate attempts to ensure that women are included and supported in the technological transformation of the continent.
Women, in particular, are at the forefront of this transformation, leading some of the most successful enterprises across Africa,” he noted.
Besides, Abani emphasized that Africa is endowed with human and material resources, which should have ensured a turn-around of its industries. He advocated the exploitation of technology in adding value to such resources and in transforming indigenous knowledge into technological innovations for the benefit of Africa directly, rather than for the global markets.
In this way, he argued, Africa would not only be competitive in the global economy but also solve both its peculiar challenges and opportunities
