African nations need to progress beyond being technology consumers, embracing deeper cross-border partnerships to fuel innovation.
This call to action comes from CEO of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, who emphasizes that Africa’s tech challenges present unique chances for collaboration and homegrown solutions.
Speaking at the Government Parastatals panel during the recently concluded Texcellence Conference 2024, organized by CWG Plc, Dr. Ashigbey stressed, “Africa must redefine its role in the global tech landscape by becoming creators and innovators, not just consumers.
“Our technology challenges are gateways for cross-border collaboration that can spark solutions tailored to Africa’s unique needs and drive long-term progress across the continent,” he added.
Dr. Ashigbey noted that Africa’s projected 5G market—anticipated to reach 70 million users by 2026, according to a 2021 Ericsson report—presents vast potential. However, achieving this requires a shift in mindset within the tech industry.
Touching on Artificial Intelligence (AI), Dr. Ashigbey pointed to foundational gaps in Africa’s tech infrastructure, stressing the importance of training in the mathematics underpinning AI algorithms. He warned that without local expertise and AI models tailored to African data, the continent risks lagging behind.
The Government Parastatals panel, themed ‘Collaborative Innovation: Shaping Africa’s Tomorrow Economy,’ united key figures from Nigeria’s National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Ghana’s telecom sector, and other prominent tech stakeholders to discuss collaborative innovation’s role in Africa’s economic growth.
Dr. Ashigbey emphasized the pressing need for policy reforms across Africa, particularly in streamlining cross-border regulations.
“We need to start thinking about how we can work together and view each other more as collaborators than competitors. The organisations that will succeed are those that can recognise their rivals and still find ways to collaborate with them,” Dr. Ashigbey emphasised.
Discussions also highlighted advancements in infrastructure, with Nigeria making strides in data center capabilities.
Galaxy Backbone, a Nigerian government infrastructure provider, reported the development of TR4-certified data centers in Kano and Abuja, supported by approximately 5,000 kilometers of fiber backbone spanning 33 states.
Representing NITDA, Dr. Aristotle Onumo, Director of Stakeholder Management, underscored trust and transparency as critical to building lasting collaborations.
The session also explored intellectual property protection, with Dr. Barr Obiageli Amadiobi, Director General of Nigeria’s National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), discussing efforts to safeguard and commercialize academic research.
In strengthening Africa’s technological ecosystem, Dr. Ashigbey highlighted the importance of making tech accessible to all citizens, including non-English speakers.