Former Ghanaian Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia on Saturday presented a detailed six-point policy blueprint he says African governments must adopt to compete seriously in the global artificial intelligence (AI) economy, warning that good intentions without structural investment will leave the continent behind once again.
Delivering the keynote address at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) Africa Summit 2026 in London, Dr. Bawumia told an audience of policymakers, academics, and industry leaders that Africa must move beyond discussion and adopt practical, measurable actions to build a competitive AI ecosystem, stressing that success in the digital age will depend on deliberate planning, sustained investment, and strong institutional capacity.
He called for investment in reliable electricity, broadband infrastructure, and secure data systems as an immediate priority, arguing that no meaningful AI deployment was possible without these foundations in place. Alongside this, he urged governments to develop trustworthy data ecosystems and launch large-scale talent development programmes to build the human capacity the continent urgently needs.
Dr. Bawumia’s blueprint also identified the need for stronger public sector procurement capacity, so that governments could make informed decisions when commissioning AI-driven services. He stressed that the integration of ethical standards into AI deployment was not optional, warning that systems built without clear governance frameworks risked undermining public trust and deepening existing inequalities.
The sixth priority was continental in scope. He argued that cross-border collaboration was essential to building interoperable digital markets across Africa, stating that AI should not be treated as a collection of imported tools but as a shared continental capability that the continent must help build and govern.
Throughout his address, Dr. Bawumia emphasised that reliable connectivity, electricity, and digital infrastructure were the non-negotiable starting points, arguing that before any debate about algorithms, Africa must first be disciplined about building the networks, power systems, and data structures that enable AI adoption at scale.
He concluded by urging African leaders to act boldly but methodically, stating that the continent should position itself as a builder of responsible AI systems rather than a passive consumer, and that uniting borders through infrastructure, skills, governance, and markets could make AI a genuine force for shared continental prosperity.
The LSE Africa Summit 2026 brought together policymakers, technologists, academics, and investors to examine Africa’s development path and the role of emerging technologies in shaping its future.
