Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the former Vice President of Ghana and 2028 flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has emphasised the imperative for Africa to adopt artificial intelligence and digital transformation.
He cautioned that the continent risks being left behind once again if it does not fully leverage AI.
During his address at the LSE Africa Summit 2026 at the London School of Economics and Political Science, Dr Bawumia stressed that Africa must take decisive action to capitalise on the opportunities presented by the fourth industrial revolution.
He noted that the continent had missed previous industrial revolutions due to inadequate investment in technology and innovation ecosystems.
Dr Bawumia characterised the current digital era as a pivotal moment that Africa cannot afford to overlook.
“We are in the midst of a global digital revolution. Artificial intelligence, big data, cloud computing, and the Internet of Things… are reshaping our world,” he said.
“Digitalisation is no longer at the periphery. It is front and centre; it is a necessity for survival and prosperity in the 21st century.”
In his view, Africa’s biggest challenge is not talent but leadership and deliberate investment, adding that “Africa does not lack talent. What we lack is deliberateness, leadership and investment to create the ecosystems where innovations and innovators thrive.”
“We cannot afford to be left behind this time. We should embrace technology and not be intimidated by it,” he stated.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
