Commit Up to 2% of GDP to Digital Infrastructure, Dr Apaak Urges

Accra: The Deputy Minister for Education, Clement Abas Apaak, has urged African governments to dedicate between one and two percent of their annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) towards the development of digital infrastructure across the continent. According to Ghana Web, during the ministerial roundtable discussion at the eLearning Africa Conference held at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra, Dr. Apaak highlighted the significant investment required in digital infrastructure for Africa to fully benefit from emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. He proposed that African governments should allocate a portion of their GDP to a fund specifically aimed at building continental-level digital infrastructure. Dr. Apaak emphasized the necessity of mobilizing Africa's own resources to create the infrastructure and expertise needed to drive the continent's digital future. He stressed that investing in digital infrastructure is crucial for fostering innovation, adopting digital technology, and developing artificial intelligence in a manner that preserves African history, culture, and values. He pointed out Africa's limited presence among the world's leading technology companies and the continent's dependence on foreign technology infrastructure. Dr. Apaak highlighted that out of the ten global giants in technology, none are African, with the majority being American. This dependency raises concerns about Africa's ability to achieve digital independence. Dr. Apaak called on African governments to collaborate in mobilizing resources and building digital infrastructure. He underscored the importance of developing expertise to position Africa as a competitive player in the global digital economy, while ensuring that emerging technologies align with African values and priorities. He concluded by stressing the need for adequate financial resources to support the implementation of ideas and policies aimed at advancing digital transformation. Without sufficient resources, he questioned the feasibility of realizing the continent's digital transformation goals.