Ghana should double its spending on technology and innovation to at least 1.5% of GDP and introduce targeted tax incentives for private sector research, according to Dr. Eugene Frimpong, a data analytics and artificial intelligence expert.
Speaking in contribution to expectations of the 2026 budget, Dr. Frimpong said Ghana’s current allocation, about 0.6% of GDP, lags behind the African average of 0.8% and the recommended 1–3% for developing economies. “The 2020–2025 budget gave roughly $327 million to the Ministry of Communication, Digitalization, and Innovation, far below the 1% benchmark,” he said.
He urged Ghana to match Kenya’s long-term tech agenda, which has earned it the nickname “Silicon Savannah,” and position itself as the “Digital Coast” of West Africa. He said the Ministry’s 15 proposed legislative initiatives, including digital skills, AI governance, e-commerce standards and telecom infrastructure, must be backed by significant funding.
Frimpong also called for tax exemptions for companies investing in AI, digitalization and innovation, noting that current laws favor mining, agriculture and manufacturing. He cited the U.S. CHIPS Act’s $39 billion in tech incentives as an example. “If MTN, Airtel or a major bank embarks on an innovation drive, they should be able to expense it and get tax relief,” he said.
On workforce readiness, he said the One Million Coders program is a strong start but must expand nationwide, integrate into curricula and focus on solving local problems. While AI could displace 85 million jobs globally, he said it will create a net 12 million. “AI is not changing what we do, it’s changing how we do it,” he said, adding that technical training must be paired with human and management skills.
Frimpong urged using Ghana’s data ecosystem, from banks, telecoms and the national ID system, to drive innovation through aggregation and analysis, supported by public-private partnerships. “If we want a truly digital economy, we must put money behind it and give the private sector a reason to invest,” he said.
