Former Ghanaian Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia has identified six key policy strategies that can position Africa as a leader in the global race for artificial intelligence (AI).
Delivering a keynote at the prestigious London School of Economics and Political Science(LSE) Africa Summit 2026 in London, Dr Bawumia emphasised that Africa must first strengthen its foundational pillars – infrastructure, skills, and governance-before chasing technological applications.
“Technological revolutions reward those who build foundations first-institutions, infrastructure, skills, and rules-before chasing applications,” he said.
The Six Policy Steps Include;
- Invest in Foundational Infrastructure
Reliable electricity, broadband, and digital infrastructure are essential to enable AI research, development, and deployment across the continent. - Develop Secure and Ethical Data Ecosystems
Data is the backbone of AI. Africa must build ethical, interoperable, and secure systems to support innovation while protecting privacy and citizens’ rights. - Scale AI Talent
Training and retaining skilled professionals is critical to support AI research, development, and implementation in both public and private sectors. - Strengthen Public Sector Capabilities
Governments must enhance their ability to adopt AI effectively, including through transparent procurement processes and policies that promote responsible innovation. - Embed Ethical Standards
Transparency, accountability, and inclusivity should guide AI deployment, ensuring that technology benefits society while building public trust. - Promote Cross-Border Collaboration
Harmonising rules, standards, and digital markets across African nations can unlock economies of scale, encourage regional innovation, and prevent fragmentation.
Africa in Context
Dr Bawumia highlighted that Africa has a unique opportunity to emerge as a builder rather than a consumer of AI technologies. By implementing these strategies, the continent can drive economic growth, create jobs, and assert technological leadership on the global stage. Success, however, will require political will, cross-sector collaboration, and sustained investment to transform the roadmap into tangible results.
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Senior Reporter/Editor
Bio: Ugochukwu is a freelance journalist and Editor at AIbase.ng, with a strong professional focus on investigative reporting. He holds a degree in Mass Communication and brings extensive experience in news gathering, reporting, and editorial writing. With over a decade of active engagement across diverse news outlets, he contributes in-depth analytical, practical, and expository articles exploring artificial intelligence and its real-world impact. His seasoned newsroom experience and well-established information networks provide AIbase.ng with credible, timely, and high-quality coverage of emerging AI developments.