Former Vice President of Ghana and 2028 flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mahamudu Bawumia, has outlined six key policy priorities he says are critical for Africa to emerge as a global force in artificial intelligence (AI).
Dr. Bawumia made the call during his keynote address at the LSE Africa Summit 2026, hosted by the London School of Economics and Political Science.
He stressed the need for African countries to move beyond rhetoric and adopt practical, measurable strategies to build a competitive AI ecosystem, noting that success in the digital age depends on strong institutions, infrastructure, skills, and regulatory frameworks.
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“Technological revolutions reward those who build foundations: institutions, infrastructure, skills, and rules before they chase the latest applications,” Dr. Bawumia stated, urging African leaders to act decisively but strategically.
He outlined six priority areas to drive Africa’s AI transformation:
Investment in reliable electricity and broadband infrastructure to power digital innovation.
Development of secure and trusted data systems to support large-scale AI deployment.
Expansion of talent development programmes to equip the workforce with critical AI skills.
Strengthening public sector procurement systems to enable effective adoption of AI solutions.
Integration of ethical standards to ensure AI systems are transparent, fair, and accountable.
Promotion of cross-border collaboration to build interoperable digital markets across the continent.
Dr. Bawumia emphasised the importance of building “trustworthy data ecosystems” and scaling up human capital development, while highlighting regional cooperation as a key driver of success.
He urged African governments and institutions to seize the opportunity to shape the global AI landscape.
“Africa should not be a passive consumer but a builder of responsible AI systems. By uniting infrastructure, skills, governance, and markets across borders, AI can become a powerful tool for shared prosperity on the continent,” he said.