By Daniel Bampoe
The 2028 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has outlined a sweeping vision for Africa’s digital future, urging governments across the continent to prioritise infrastructure, affordability, and policy coordination to harness the benefits of artificial intelligence (AI) fully.
Delivering a keynote address at the London School of Economics Africa Summit 2026 in London on March 28, Dr. Bawumia stressed that Africa’s ability to compete in the global digital economy will depend fundamentally on the strength of its digital foundations.
Speaking on the theme “Artificial Intelligence and Uniting Borders in Africa,” he warned that without reliable electricity, broadband connectivity, and trusted data systems, the continent’s AI ambitions would remain unattainable.
Dr. Bawumia described AI as the latest phase of the digital age, insisting that Africa cannot bypass the process of digitalisation if it hopes to benefit from emerging technologies.
He noted that countries on the continent that are better prepared for the AI revolution—such as Ghana, Rwanda, Kenya, and South Africa—are those that have made significant progress in digitalisation, underscoring the direct link between digital readiness and AI capability.
Highlighting structural challenges, he pointed to uneven internet penetration and electricity access across Africa, explaining that while progress has been made, significant disparities remain.
According to him, internet usage across the continent averages about 43 percent, with wide variations between countries, while electricity access stands at roughly 60 percent.
He cautioned that unreliable power supply and limited connectivity could turn digital initiatives into fragile systems rather than scalable national solutions.
Summarising the continent’s predicament, Dr. Bawumia stated: “No electricity, no computer. No broadband, no scaling. No trusted data systems, no safe deployment,” stressing that Africa’s AI agenda must be treated fundamentally as an infrastructure agenda.
Beyond infrastructure, he also raised concerns about the high cost of mobile data, identifying affordability as a major barrier to inclusive participation in the digital economy.
While noting that Ghana performs relatively well compared to some peers, he explained that data costs remain prohibitive for many low-income households, thereby limiting meaningful access and risking the deepening of inequality across societies.
Dr. Bawumia further warned that Africa risks being left behind once again if it fails to decisively embrace the ongoing fourth industrial revolution. Reflecting on the continent’s historical experience, he observed that Africa missed previous industrial revolutions largely due to insufficient investment in technology and weak innovation ecosystems.
He described the current digital transformation—driven by AI, big data, cloud computing, and the Internet of Things—as a defining moment that requires bold and deliberate leadership.
“Africa does not lack talent,” he said. “What we lack is deliberateness, leadership, and investment to create the ecosystems where innovation thrives,” urging policymakers to adopt a mindset of possibilities and not be intimidated by technology.
On the impact of AI on jobs, Dr. Bawumia acknowledged that the technology will significantly reshape labour markets but argued that it presents more opportunities than risks if managed properly.
He cited global estimates suggesting that about 40 percent of jobs are exposed to AI-driven change, clarifying that this does not imply widespread job losses but rather a transformation of tasks and productivity.
He emphasised the need for policies that support workforce transition, skills development, and inclusion, particularly within Africa’s large informal sector.
“If we get this right,” he noted, “AI can become a productivity engine for agriculture, health, education, climate resilience, and digital trade.”
A key pillar of his address was the call for stronger cross-border collaboration among African countries. Dr. Bawumia argued that AI should not be treated as a collection of imported tools but as a shared continental capability.
He called for harmonised regulations, regional cloud infrastructure, and interoperable digital systems to facilitate cross-border data flows and digital trade.
Referencing frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area, he emphasised that regional integration will be critical to scaling African innovations and reducing dependence on external systems.
“Artificial intelligence can unite borders if Africa builds capability and then connects that capability across borders,” he stated.
To position Africa as a global force in AI, Dr. Bawumia outlined six key policy priorities, including investments in electricity and broadband infrastructure, the development of secure and trustworthy data ecosystems, large-scale talent development, improved public sector procurement capacity, ethical AI governance, and enhanced regional collaboration.
He concluded with a strong call to action, urging African leaders to move beyond rhetoric and adopt practical, measurable steps to secure the continent’s place in the global digital economy.
“Technological revolutions reward those who build foundations—institutions, infrastructure, skills, and rules—before chasing applications,” he said. “If we unite borders through infrastructure, skills, governance, and markets, AI can become a force for shared prosperity.”
The LSE Africa Summit 2026 brought together policymakers, academics, students, and industry leaders from across the world to examine Africa’s future in an era increasingly shaped by digital transformation and artificial intelligence.
