AETF.Ai Conference charts path for African self-developed AI solutions

By Ernest Bako WUBONTO

The Africa Education Trust Fund (AETF) Artificial Intelligence (AI) Conference – a landmark gathering that brought together ministers, policymakers, researchers, innovators, investors and youth leaders from across Africa – has provided a platform for stakeholder dialogue aimed at positioning the continent at the global AI revolution’s forefront with homegrown solutions.

Experts and policymakers at the conference emphasised the importance of developing self-sustaining AI solutions within Africa, stressing that strong collaboration between academia and industry is essential for transformative and sustainable progress.

Held in Accra under the theme ‘AI for Africa: Unlocking Opportunities for Education, Innovation and Sustainable Development’, the conference explored AI’s transformative potential across key sectors including education, security, finance, agribusiness, energy, communications and governance. It particularly focused on creating pathways for African youth to participate actively and competitively in the global digital economy.

In an address read on his behalf, Chief of Staff Julius Debrah noted that digital transformation is already yielding significant results in developed countries – especially where AI has been integrated into education systems. He underscored that countries using AI in learning are witnessing remarkable economic gains.

Mr. Debrah highlighted how AI technologies are helping to address challenges such as limited resources and overcrowded classrooms, urging higher learning institutions in Ghana to develop similar solutions locally. He also called for support towards developing a national AI framework that digitalises African languages to overcome language barriers across the continent.

He cited Ghana’s ambitious ‘One Million Coders Programme’ as a strategic initiative to position the country as an AI hub in West Africa, adding: “We must rally support for grassroots innovation to build context-specific AI solutions for local problems, underpinned by robust local data systems because AI thrives on secure and accurate databases. Let’s unlock the full potential of AI for every child, farmer, healthcare worker and professional on the continent”.

Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, also reiterated government’s commitment to a structured approach toward AI adoption. He disclosed that under President John Dramani Mahama’s leadership, all ministries, departments, agencies and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) will be required to integrate AI into their operations to enhance service delivery and accountability.

“Government recently hosted an AI boot camp for Cabinet ministers,” Mr. George said. “The president has directed that all ministries and state agencies adopt AI for policy formulation and citizen engagement by end of next year.”

To ensure safe and responsible use of these technologies, he announced that his ministry has developed an Emerging Technologies bill – a legislative framework designed to regulate the use of AI, blockchain and other machine-learning systems in Ghana.

The minister further expanded on AI’s potential applications, calling for the involvement of traditional authorities in development initiatives and warning against overreliance on foreign digital systems – which he described as a national security risk.

“We must stop building our defence with imported technologies,” he stated, urging collaboration between the military and academia to develop indigenous defence systems. “AI must serve the people and accelerate development – we must build our own capabilities to secure our digital future.”

AETF Chairman Dr. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah explained that the AETF’s purpose is raising funds to transform Africa’s education systems from pre-primary to tertiary levels. This, he said, will ensure that the continent produces graduates who are industry-ready and equipped with skills to drive industrialisation and value addition rather than merely exporting raw materials.

“As Africa undergoes rapid structural, technological and socio-economic transformation, AETF provides a platform to ensure that education remains a driver of development, peace and prosperity,” Dr. Spio-Garbrah concluded.

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