Former Vice President of Ghana and 2028 flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mahamudu Bawumia, has outlined six key policy commitments he believes are critical for Africa to become a global force in artificial intelligence.
He presented these proposals as part of his keynote address at the LSE Africa Summit 2026 held at the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Dr Bawumia stressed that Africa must move beyond discussions and adopt practical, measurable actions to build a competitive AI ecosystem.
He noted that success in the digital age will depend on deliberate planning, sustained investment, and strong institutional capacity across the continent.
“Technological revolutions reward those who build foundations: institutions, infrastructure, skills, and rules before they chase the latest applications,” he said, adding that Africa must act “boldly, but methodically” to secure its place in the global digital economy.
Outlining his proposals, he called for investments in reliable electricity, broadband infrastructure, and secure data systems, as well as the development of trustworthy data ecosystems and large-scale talent development programmes.
He also emphasised the need for stronger public sector procurement capacity and the integration of ethical standards into AI deployment.
“Build AI foundations… build trustworthy data ecosystems… build talent at scale,” he said, listing the priorities, while also highlighting the importance of cross-border collaboration to create interoperable digital markets across Africa.
Dr Bawumia concluded with a call to action for African leaders and institutions to seize the moment and shape the future of AI.
“Africa should be poised to shape the global AI conversation not as a passive consumer, but as a builder of responsible systems,” he stated, adding that “if we unite borders through infrastructure, skills, governance, and markets, then AI can become a force for shared prosperity.”
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