Bawumia Encourages Africa to Leverage Technology for Economic Advancement

Former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has urged African policymakers to adopt an optimistic outlook and embrace technology as a catalyst for economic transformation.

Speaking at the 27th Annual Conference of *Beyond Borders: A Myth or a Mandate for Africa’s Progress?* at Harvard University in Boston, Dr. Bawumia stressed the need for the continent to harness digitalization to accelerate development.

“Policymakers must adopt a mindset of possibilities. We should embrace technology rather than fear it. With the right approach, Africa has the potential to leapfrog advanced nations in several sectors,” he stated.

Dr. Bawumia reflected on Ghana’s economic evolution, noting that the country had relied on an informal system for over six decades after independence. However, he highlighted ongoing efforts to transition to a formal, data-driven economy capable of competing in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

“Today, we are laying the foundation for a structured, technology-driven economy. The challenge is to use digitalization to address present-day issues while creating opportunities for the future, moving from the Second to the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” he explained.

His remarks underscored the critical role of technology-driven policies in Africa’s economic progress, urging governments to leverage digitalization for growth, job creation, and global competitiveness.