Former Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has rallied African countries to seize the digital revolution to help transform the continent’s future.
Speaking to a packed audience of academics, business leaders, and policymakers at the Cambridge Africa Business Conference, Dr. Bawumia highlighted Ghana’s digitalisation successes and called for greater collaboration between governments, academia, and the private sector to drive innovation and inclusion.
With the bold declaration, “I was made for this!” Dr. Bawumia framed Africa’s digital transformation not merely as a policy agenda but as a personal mission rooted in purpose and vision.
“This is Africa’s time,” he said, noting that the digital age presents Africa with a unique opportunity to leapfrog developmental hurdles.
Using Ghana as a prime example, Dr. Bawumia outlined a series of digital achievements, including mobile money interoperability, the introduction of digital national identity systems, and technology-driven improvements in public service delivery and tax mobilisation.
“Africa does not lack innovation. We lack systems that scale it. We do not lack ideas, we lack ecosystems that reward and retain them. We do not lack ambition. We lack access to capital, infrastructure, and trust.”
He argued that these reforms are not just about convenience—they are about economic empowerment, efficiency, and inclusion.
“Our youth are our greatest asset. Their digital fluency and energy must be harnessed to build sustainable economies and stronger institutions.”
Dr. Bawumia also emphasised the need for robust collaboration between governments, academia, and the private sector. He called on institutions like Cambridge University to partner with African governments to drive research, innovation, and capacity-building tailored to the continent’s specific needs.
“Africa must invest in the minds of its people,” he urged. “That begins with education and access to technology.”
By: Ekow Annan/newsalertgh.com
