Former Vice President of Ghana, Mahamudu Bawumia, has issued a strong warning to African leaders and policymakers, urging the continent to accelerate its adoption of digital technology or risk being left behind in the rapidly evolving global economy.
Delivering the keynote address at the LSE Africa Summit 2026 held at the London School of Economics and Political Science in London, Dr. Bawumia emphasized that Africa is lagging in the ongoing digital transformation driven by the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Speaking on the theme “Artificial Intelligence and Uniting Borders,” he expressed concern that slow policy responses and inadequate infrastructure could hinder the continent’s ability to harness the full potential of artificial intelligence (AI).
“We are in the midst of a digital revolution. AI, data, cloud computing, and automation are reshaping productivity, security, and the very architecture of global competition,” Dr. Bawumia stated. “The question of AI in Africa is not just technological — it is about sovereignty, inclusion, and opportunity.”
He stressed that AI has the potential to transform key sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, and education, but only if African nations treat it as a strategic priority rather than relying on imported solutions.
“Artificial intelligence can unite borders if Africa builds capability and connects that capability across nations. If we treat AI merely as imported tools, we will remain price-takers in the knowledge economy,” he warned.
Foundations First
Dr. Bawumia underscored that Africa’s ability to benefit from AI depends heavily on building strong foundational systems, including infrastructure, institutions, skills, and regulatory frameworks.
“History teaches us that technological revolutions reward those who build foundations before chasing applications,” he said. “Africa must act boldly, but methodically.”
He pointed to significant gaps in connectivity and electricity across the continent as major barriers to AI adoption. According to data he cited, internet usage in Africa stands at 43%, with disparities between countries such as Rwanda (34%), Ghana (70%), and South Africa (76%).
He noted that access alone is insufficient, stressing the need for affordable, reliable, and high-speed internet.
Electricity access, another critical factor, averages about 60% across Africa. While countries like Ghana (89.5%) and South Africa (87.7%) show relatively higher access, inconsistent power supply continues to undermine digital systems.
“No electricity, no computer. No broadband, no scaling. No trusted data systems, no safe deployment,” he emphasized.
Signs of Hope
Despite the challenges, Dr. Bawumia highlighted emerging opportunities for the continent. He referenced growing innovations in “small AI” — cost-effective applications that can run on mobile devices and are already making an impact in agriculture, health, and education.
He also cited frameworks such as the World Bank’s “four Cs” for building inclusive AI ecosystems: connectivity, compute, context (data), and competency (skills).
According to the Oxford Insights Government AI Readiness Index 2024, countries including Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, and South Africa are showing early signs of progress, though much work remains to scale initiatives from pilot stages to nationwide systems.
Call to Action
Dr. Bawumia concluded with a strong appeal to African governments to create enabling environments for AI development, stressing that the continent cannot afford complacency in the digital age.
“The digital age has now entered the phase of artificial intelligence,” he said, quoting Estonia’s e-Governance Academy. “The coming decade will be shaped by the integration of AI into governance and everyday life.”
His message was clear: Africa’s future competitiveness will depend not just on adopting AI, but on building the systems and capacity to shape it.
