The nation’s goal of becoming Africa’s hub for artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, cyber-security, data analytics and data processing within the next four years is both ambitious and achievable, if the right investments and policy frameworks are implemented, industry experts have said.
Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, set a medium-term time frame for achieving this when he appeared before the Parliamentary Appointment Committee ahead of his confirmation, where he stated a commitment to reviewing and refining Ghana’s AI strategy.
He later reiterated this stance at the AI Summit in Paris, a high-profile event that convened leaders from over 100 countries to discuss AI’s evolving role in the global economy.
These ambitions come at a time when AI is reshaping industries worldwide. According to PwC, AI could contribute US$15.7trillion to the global economy by 2030, with US$6.6trillion coming from increased productivity and US$9.1trillion from consumption-side effects.
Meanwhile, Africa is projected to see AI-driven economic gains of US$1.2trillion over the same period. Countries such as South Africa and Egypt have already launched national AI strategies, and Nigeria recently announced plans to integrate AI into its economic planning.
However, challenges such as infrastructure deficits, limited digital data and a shortage of skilled professionals remain key obstacles to the nation’s AI aspirations.
Foundational investments required
To position itself as a leading AI hub, deliberate investments in skills development, core IT infrastructure and an enabling regulatory framework must be prioritised, Richard Nunekpeku, Managing Partner of Sustineri Partners PRUC, said.
“First and foremost, we must understand that we cannot compete if we do not encourage new ways of learning and skill development,” he told the B&FT.
“So, while targeted interventions such as the One Million Coders programme are laudable, we must also take steps to review our school curriculum and support our universities to introduce AI-specialised courses targeted at training young people in AI technologies, promoting R&D (research and development) and establishing centres of excellence for localised AI development,” he added.
Mr. Nunekpeku, who doubles as the Vice President of Legal & Strategy for the Ghana Fintech and Payment Association (GFPA), pointed to the United States and China, where sustained investments in AI education have ensured a steady supply of talent, enabling their continued dominance in the sector.
According to Stanford University’s AI Index Report, while China continues to gain ground rapidly in the publication of AI research papers, the U.S. remains the leader in multiple metrics, including AI funding, with AI start-ups securing over US$40billion in venture capital in 2023 alone.
Beyond education, the development of critical IT infrastructure is essential. “Investments in new computing systems, data centres, high-speed Internet, AI training modules, etc., must be coordinated with private sector participation. This will help provide the needed IT infrastructure backbone for global companies seeking to establish and set up in Africa to make Ghana their preferred destination,” Mr. Nunekpeku explained.
The local data centre market, valued at approximately US$230million in 2023, is projected to grow at an annual rate of 12 percent, according to Research and Markets.
Arizton Advisory & Intelligence, in a report titled ‘Africa Data Center Construction Market – Industry Outlook & Forecast 2024-2029’, noted that Ghana’s high solar irradiation and stable political environment make it “favourable for solar-powered data centres, especially in Accra, as local and international investors recognise its potential in the West African digital market”.
However, the country still lags behind in AI-specific computing capacity. Experts say partnerships with global technology firms could accelerate the development of high-performance computing clusters, essential for AI research and deployment.
The third pillar, a clear policy framework, will be decisive in attracting investment. “Policies outlining clear investment benefits, such as tax waivers, breaks and exemptions, enhanced intellectual property protection and data management regimes, etc., could help attract early-stage investments in AI development across the continent,” Mr. Nunekpeku added.
However, he cautioned that Ghana’s regulatory bodies must be strengthened to address risks associated with AI, including data security and ethical concerns.
AI’s practical impact
The case for AI in Ghana extends beyond technological prestige, with Gillian Hammah – Chief Marketing Officer at Aya Data, saying AI can directly address some of the country’s most pressing economic and social challenges, particularly in agriculture, healthcare and education.
“There is a lot AI can do to solve real problems in Ghana. Priority areas should reflect sectors that have a significant impact on our GDP; for instance, with agriculture and our citizens, particularly in healthcare and education,” she stated.
Agriculture, which employs over 30 percent of the country’s workforce and contributes 20 percent of GDP, could benefit significantly from AI-powered precision farming techniques.
“Many farmers complain about high input and labour costs due to inefficiencies and low productivity, irregular weather patterns, [and] inability to quickly and accurately detect pests and diseases. All of these can be dramatically improved using AI-powered precision agriculture solutions,” Mrs. Hammah noted.
A McKinsey report suggests AI-driven precision agriculture can increase crop yields by up to 30 percent while reducing water and pesticide use by 20 percent. Stakeholders are already exploring AI-based weather prediction models to mitigate the impact of climate change on cocoa farming, an industry that generates approximately US$2billion annually in export revenue.
In healthcare, AI has the potential to enhance diagnostics and streamline medical processes. “Doctors spend hours manually documenting symptoms and assigning codes, [and] patients suffer from misdiagnosis or late diagnosis,” Mrs. Hammah observed.
She added that AI can enhance disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment while optimising healthcare efficiency.
AI-powered diagnostics could be particularly impactful as the doctor-to-patient ratio stands at approximately 1:6,500—far below the World Health Organisation’s recommended 1:1,000.
AI-driven screening tools for diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis and stroke could help address the shortage of medical professionals and improve early detection rates.
Education will also be a key area for AI development, with Mrs. Hammah saying: “Ghana needs to incentivise universities and institutions to educate people on AI and have it included in the national curriculum”. She pointed to international examples such as France, which is accelerating AI investment to compete with global leaders.
A 2023 UNESCO report found that only 20 percent of African universities offer AI or data science programs, compared to 80 percent in North America and Europe.
The nation’s ability to scale AI adoption will depend on the expansion of specialised AI training and research institutions.
Execution will determine success
While the nation’s AI ambitions are promising, success will depend on how effectively policies are executed.
The Aya Data CMO cautioned that without structured implementation, these efforts could fall short. “Studies show that 80 percent of AI projects fail, so our success will depend on having a clear, focused strategy and clarity on the problem we seek to solve with AI, clear performance metrics, structured data and expert guidance,” she stated.
Mr. Nunekpeku echoed this sentiment, noting that the government’s commitment will be key. “And I am happy to note that the Honourable Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, during his vetting, has made the commitment to pursue the objective of making Ghana Africa’s AI Hub,” he said.
Despite the challenges, the experts agree that with the right execution, the nation’s AI ambitions could serve as a catalyst for broader economic transformation.
“AI is not a strategy…AI is a way to deliver on the most important parts of your strategy. Let us treat AI as it really is – a tool,” Mrs. Hammah said, quoting a Google executive.
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