The Deputy Minister for Education, Clement Abas Apaak, has urged African governments to dedicate between one and two percent of their annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) towards the development of digital infrastructure across the continent.

Speaking during the ministerial roundtable discussion at the eLearning Africa Conference held at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra on Wednesday, June 4, 2026, he noted that Africa's digital transformation agenda will require significant investment in infrastructure if the continent is to fully benefit from emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.

"In my own thinking, part of what we should be looking at is to get African governments to commit at least about 1-2% of their annual GDP towards a pool or a fund that would support the building of the continental-level digital infrastructure," he said.

He also explained that such an investment would help create the foundation needed to support innovation, digital technology adoption, and AI development across Africa.

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He stressed that the continent must prioritise mobilising its own resources to build the infrastructure and expertise needed to drive its digital future.

"So for me that is the biggest challenge that we ought to be addressing, where we can mobilize our own resources to build our own infrastructure, train our own experts as part of the effort to domesticate AI in a way that would protect our history, our culture, and our value systems," he stated.

Apaak further noted that Africa's limited presence among the world's leading technology companies highlights the need for greater investment in the sector.

"Because if out of the ten global giants in the area of technology, not even one is African, nine are American, and if our emails have to still bounce off Europe and America to get to us, then what is really our basis for trying to assert some semblance of independence?" he asked.

He argued that the continent's continued dependence on foreign technology infrastructure raises concerns about Africa's ability to achieve digital independence.

Apaak therefore urged African governments to work together to mobilise resources, build digital infrastructure and develop the expertise needed to position the continent as a competitive player in the global digital economy while ensuring that emerging technologies reflect African values and priorities.

He also emphasised the need for adequate financial resources to support the implementation of ideas and policies aimed at advancing digital transformation.

"Thinking through all that we have said, fantastic ideas, very worthy of implementation, but Madam Chair, without the resources, how far can we go?" he said.

ANAS/VPO

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