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By Adah Ayegba
Accra, Ghana: Africa’s next major development breakthrough may depend on how effectively the continent takes control of its digital future. That was the message from Ghana’s Minister for Communication, Technology and Digital Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, who has called on African countries to work together to shape the policies, technologies and standards that will define the global digital economy.
Speaking at the 15th Africa Internet Governance Forum in Accra on November 3, the minister urged governments to move beyond policy declarations and focus on practical action that expands internet access, protects citizens and creates greater economic opportunities for Africans.
His call comes at a time when digital innovation is transforming economies across the world. Africa has made notable advances in mobile money, digital innovation and online public services. Yet millions of people remain unable to participate fully because internet services and digital devices are still too expensive.
“Connectivity alone is not enough if ordinary people cannot afford to use it” he challenged African leaders to measure digital progress by meaningful participation and tangible improvements in people’s lives, not simply by the number of strategies or pilot projects announced.
“Africa must become more than a consumer of technologies developed elsewhere. The continent needs to build technologies, standards and regulations that respond to its own priorities, cultures and development realities“ he said.
Among the priorities he identified were affordable internet connectivity, accessible digital devices, stronger digital infrastructure to support trade within Africa, and the development of artificial intelligence language models that reflect the continent’s linguistic and cultural diversity.
Other areas requiring coordinated action include protecting personal data, tackling cross-border cybercrime, improving child online safety and ensuring that African content creators receive fair value for their work.
The emphasis on African-language artificial intelligence is particularly important. As AI becomes more influential in education, business, communication and public services, African languages and knowledge systems must be represented in the technologies shaping tomorrow.
Drawing on the words of Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah “We face neither East nor West; we face forward” Minister George argued that Africa must approach the digital age with confidence and a clear sense of direction.
He called for a united African position in international digital negotiations, warning that individual countries are less able to influence global decisions when acting alone. His message was that Africa must help shape the rules of the digital world, rather than simply adapt to decisions made by others.
Africa is not starting from zero. Existing continental frameworks, including the African Union’s Agenda 2063, the Africa Digital Compact and the Continental Artificial Intelligence Strategy, provide a foundation for progress. The challenge now is to turn these commitments into coordinated implementation and measurable results.
Ghana, which chairs the African Union Specialized Technical Committee on Communications and ICT (AUSTCCI)for the 2026–2028 period, has pledged to take the outcomes of the forum to the continental level.
For Africa’s entrepreneurs, innovators, creative professionals and young people, the digital transition represents more than technological change. It offers opportunities to create jobs, expand businesses, strengthen intra-African trade and ensure that African ideas and creativity have a stronger place in the global marketplace.
The central test will be whether these ambitions translate into affordable access, stronger local innovation and real opportunities for citizens across the continent.
The One Voice Africa Perspective
Africa’s digital future should not be designed for the continent without the continent. The talent, creativity and ambition are already here. What is needed is sustained investment, regional cooperation and the determination to turn policy into practical progress. The opportunity is not merely to connect Africa to the digital world, but to empower Africa to help shape it.
This story is republished from One Voice Africa TV#OneVoiceAfrica #OneVoiceAfricaNews #DigitalAfrica #AfricaRising #AfricanInnovation #AIinAfrica #DigitalInclusion #AfricanUnion #AfricaAgenda2063 #TechForAfrica
