Education leaders, policymakers, development partners, and technology experts have called for Africa to take greater ownership of its digital education agenda and adopt artificial intelligence (AI) responsibly to meet the continent's development needs.

The call was made at the 18th Ministerial Round Table held under the theme, "Championing Sovereign, Innovative and United Learning Systems: Empowering Africa on Its Own Terms."

Delivering the keynote address, Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, said Africa must position itself as a leader in digital learning rather than depend on solutions developed elsewhere.

"Africa must become a leader in digital learning, not a spectator waiting for solutions or handouts from elsewhere," he said.

The Minister highlighted Ghana's investments in digital education, STEM learning, artificial intelligence, robotics, and curriculum reforms aimed at equipping students with skills for the future economy.

He stressed the need to develop locally relevant educational content, strengthen institutions, and ensure that technology improves access to quality education, especially for learners in underserved communities.

Iddrisu also called for increased investment in AI literacy and the development of ethical frameworks that reflect African values, warning against the continent becoming merely a consumer of technologies created elsewhere.

UNESCO Representative to Ghana, Edmund Moukala, underscored the importance of foundational literacy in preparing learners for the digital age.

According to him, reading, writing, critical thinking, and the ability to evaluate information remain essential skills for effective participation in an AI-driven world.

"Literacy is the trunk, while digital literacy, computer literacy, and AI competencies are the branches. The branches cannot be strong when the trunk is weak," he said.

Moukala urged governments to play a leading role in shaping digital learning environments, arguing that education in digital spaces should not be left solely to market forces.

He also highlighted UNESCO's support for public digital learning platforms that protect user data, support teachers, and promote education as a public good.

Participants at the round table reaffirmed their commitment to building innovative, collaborative, and sovereign learning systems that harness technology responsibly while advancing Africa's educational priorities.