Sam George calls for African control over data and AI development

The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has called on African countries to develop digital technologies that address the continent’s needs rather than rely heavily on solutions developed outside Africa.

He said African governments must prioritise connectivity, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence (AI) while ensuring that the continent benefits from the data generated by its people.

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He made the call after assuming the chairmanship of the African Union’s Specialised Technical Committee on Communication and ICT in Libreville, Gabon, on Thursday, October 29, 2026.

George argued that Africa’s growing digital market would be better positioned to influence global technology decisions if countries worked together to negotiate with major technology companies and international partners.

“Africa’s data must serve Africa’s people and must not simply be extracted, processed, and sold back to us,” he said.

He noted that the continent’s 55 countries, with a combined population of nearly 1.5 billion, had the potential to secure better terms in areas such as artificial intelligence, data governance and digital trade by negotiating as a unified market.

The minister stressed that African countries must move beyond developing digital strategies and focus on implementing them to ensure technology delivers practical benefits to citizens and businesses.

ANAS/MA

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