BY Daniel Bampoe
Former Vice President and 2028 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has issued a strong caution to African leaders, warning that the continent risks missing yet another global transformation if it fails to prioritise digital infrastructure and strategic investment in artificial intelligence (AI).
Speaking at the 2026 Africa Summit of the London School of Economics, Dr. Bawumia framed Africa’s AI ambitions not as a distant technological aspiration, but as an urgent development imperative tied directly to infrastructure, governance, and economic inclusion.
His address, delivered on the theme “Artificial Intelligence and Uniting Borders in Africa,” focused on the structural gaps that continue to limit the continent’s readiness for the digital age.
Drawing from Africa’s historical experience, Dr. Bawumia noted that the continent missed out on earlier industrial revolutions largely due to weak investment in technology and inadequate policy direction.
He warned that the current wave of innovation—powered by artificial intelligence, big data, cloud computing, and the Internet of Things—represents a defining moment that Africa cannot afford to ignore.
According to him, the central challenge is not a lack of talent, but rather a failure to build the right ecosystems for innovation.
He emphasised that Africa must move deliberately to create enabling environments where ideas can scale into real economic value.
At the heart of his argument was the assertion that AI cannot thrive without strong foundational systems.
He pointed to unreliable electricity, limited broadband coverage, and weak data systems as major constraints holding back progress across the continent.
While acknowledging improvements in internet access and electrification, he stressed that disparities remain wide between countries and even within them.
He explained that internet penetration across Africa remains uneven, and although millions have come online in recent years, the quality of access—measured by affordability, speed, and reliability—remains a significant concern.
Electricity access, he added, is equally critical, noting that inconsistent power supply undermines the stability required for digital systems to function effectively at scale.
In what he described as a “simple but urgent reality,” Dr. Bawumia stated that without these core enablers, AI deployment would remain limited and could even worsen inequality by benefiting only a small segment of society.
Beyond infrastructure, he highlighted the high cost of mobile data as a major barrier to inclusive digital participation. While some countries, including Ghana, have relatively competitive pricing, he noted that affordability remains a challenge for low-income households, particularly in economies dominated by informal sector employment.
He warned that unless data becomes more accessible, Africa’s digital transformation could exclude millions of people.
Dr. Bawumia also addressed the implications of AI for employment, noting that while the technology will transform labour markets, it does not necessarily mean widespread job losses.
Instead, he explained, AI will reshape tasks and increase productivity across many sectors. He stressed the importance of preparing the workforce through skills development and policy support to ensure that workers can transition into roles where technology enhances, rather than replaces, their contributions.
He further underscored the need for a uniquely African approach to AI, particularly given the continent’s large informal sector.
According to him, policies must be tailored to support small businesses, improve access to digital tools, and promote inclusive growth.
A significant portion of his address focused on the importance of regional cooperation. Dr. Bawumia argued that Africa’s success in the AI era will depend on its ability to collaborate across borders rather than pursue isolated national strategies.
He called for harmonised digital regulations, shared infrastructure, and stronger integration of markets to enable innovation to scale across the continent.
He pointed to continental initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area as critical frameworks that can support digital trade and data exchange, helping Africa build its own technological capabilities rather than relying heavily on external systems.
To guide this transformation, Dr. Bawumia outlined key priorities for policymakers, including investment in reliable power and broadband infrastructure, development of secure and trustworthy data ecosystems, expansion of digital skills training, and the establishment of ethical standards for AI deployment.
He also emphasised the need for stronger public sector capacity to procure and implement technology effectively.
Despite the challenges, he expressed optimism about Africa’s potential, noting that emerging innovations—such as “small AI” applications that operate on mobile devices—are already making an impact in sectors like agriculture, health, and education. He said these developments demonstrate that Africa does not need perfect conditions to begin leveraging AI, but must act with urgency and purpose.
In his concluding remarks, Dr. Bawumia called on African leaders to embrace a mindset of boldness and cooperation, urging them to treat the digital revolution as a central pillar of economic policy rather than a peripheral issue.
He stressed that Africa’s future in the global economy will depend on decisions made today, warning that hesitation could result in another missed opportunity. At the same time, he expressed confidence that with the right investments and policies, the continent can position itself not just as a consumer of technology, but as a creator and leader in the global AI ecosystem.
The summit brought together policymakers, academics, innovators, and students from across the world to examine Africa’s place in the rapidly evolving digital economy, with Dr. Bawumia’s address emerging as a key highlight of the discussions.
