Accra: Deputy Minister for Education, Clement Abas Apaak, has emphasized the necessity for Africa to invest in its own digital infrastructure and expertise to achieve technological independence. Speaking at a ministerial roundtable discussion during the eLearning Africa conference at the Labadi Beach Hotel, Apaak highlighted the absence of African-owned digital infrastructure as a major hindrance to the continent's technological goals.
According to Ghana Web, Apaak stressed that Africa must take intentional measures to ensure that emerging technologies align with the continent's interests and values, rather than solely relying on external actors. He cautioned that without substantial financial commitments from African governments, ambitious digital transformation plans would remain challenging to implement.
Apaak questioned the extent to which dependence on foreign technology companies would allow African countries to exert genuine control over their digital future. He proposed the establishment of a continental funding mechanism to support the development of digital infrastructure across Africa, suggesting that African governments should allocate 1-2% of their annual GDP to a fund dedicated to building continental-level digital infrastructure.
He argued that such an investment would lay the foundation for domesticating digital technology and artificial intelligence across the continent. Apaak pointed out the global imbalance in the technology sector, noting that Africa has yet to produce a leading technology giant, unlike other regions.
He called on African leaders to mobilize resources and collaborate to secure the continent's digital future, emphasizing the importance of such initiatives to assert Africa's technological independence.