BoG Governor calls for greater African influence in global AI policies

The Bank of Ghana (BoG) Governor, Dr Johnson Pandit Asiama, has called on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to strengthen its support for Africa’s digital transformation, including artificial intelligence (AI) governance, cybersecurity and digital infrastructure.

Speaking during the second round of Governors’ interventions on the sidelines of the IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings in Bangkok, Thailand, on October 14, 2026, Dr Asiama highlighted the importance of digital sovereignty and the responsible use of AI in driving structural transformation, economic resilience and long-term development across Africa.

“AI is already reshaping productivity, competitiveness, governance, and finance,” he said.

He noted that Africa had made significant progress in digital payments, identification systems, AI-enabled financial services and financial technology (fintech).

However, Dr Asiama warned that gaps in regulatory capacity, cybersecurity, infrastructure and financing continued to constrain the safe and inclusive use of these technologies.

“Without urgent and coordinated action, the continent risks falling even further behind,” the BoG Governor said while stressing the need for a stronger partnership with the IMF.

He therefore called on the Fund to expand tailored capacity-development support to help African countries improve AI governance, supervisory technology, cybersecurity and digital-risk management.

According to Dr Asiama, this would enable African countries not only to adopt AI but also to adapt, govern and innovate with the technology to build resilience and promote inclusive growth.

He also urged the IMF to strengthen its analysis of the links between AI, digital transformation and macro-financial stability.

He mentioned that AI-related issues should be integrated into the Fund’s economic surveillance and Financial Sector Assessment Programs (FSAPs), where relevant, while greater attention should be paid to the technology’s implications for productivity, employment, financial resilience and inclusive growth.

Dr Asiama further called for greater policy coherence in data governance, digital trade and cross-border AI regulation.

He also urged the Fund to support efforts to mobilise affordable financing for secure digital public infrastructure and help narrow the digital divide.

The intervention was delivered under the theme, “Africa’s Digital Sovereignty and AI for Structural Transformation: Advancing Capabilities and Deepening the Fund’s Support.”

Story by Mawuli Ahorlumegah, reporting from the 2026 IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings in Thailand, Bangkok