Bangkok:The Bank of Ghana Governor, Dr. Johnson Pandit Asiama, has urged the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to enhance its support for Africa's digital transformation initiatives, particularly in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI) governance, cybersecurity, and digital infrastructure.
According to Ghana Web, Dr. Asiama made this appeal during the second round of Governors' interventions at the IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings. He emphasized the significance of digital sovereignty and responsible AI usage in fostering structural transformation, economic resilience, and long-term development across Africa.
Dr. Asiama highlighted Africa's progress in digital payments, identification systems, AI-enabled financial services, and financial technology. However, he pointed out that regulatory capacity gaps, cybersecurity, infrastructure, and financing challenges continue to hinder the safe and inclusive use of these technologies. He stressed the importance of urgent and coordinated action to prevent the continent from lagging further behind.
The Governor called for the IMF to expand its tailored capacity-development support, aiding African nations in improving AI governance, supervisory technology, cybersecurity, and digital-risk management. This support would allow African countries not only to adopt but also to adapt, govern, and innovate with AI technology, thereby enhancing resilience and promoting inclusive growth.
He also recommended that the IMF strengthen its analysis of the connections between AI, digital transformation, and macro-financial stability. Dr. Asiama urged for AI-related issues to be integrated into the Fund's economic surveillance and Financial Sector Assessment Programs, considering the technology's impact on productivity, employment, financial resilience, and inclusive growth.
Furthermore, Dr. Asiama called for greater policy coherence in data governance, digital trade, and cross-border AI regulation. He also advocated for support in mobilizing affordable financing for secure digital public infrastructure to help close the digital divide.