Former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has called on African countries to embrace the Fourth Industrial Revolution, warning that failure to do so could leave the continent further behind in global economic development.
Speaking at Harvard University on Saturday, February 15, as the keynote speaker on the theme “Africa Beyond Borders: A Myth or a Mandate for Africa’s Progress”, Dr. Bawumia emphasized that Africa had already missed out on the first three industrial revolutions and could not afford to repeat the mistake.
He highlighted how previous revolutions in mechanized production, mass electricity-powered industries, and the rise of computers did not see Africa achieve significant advancements.
According to Dr. Bawumia, the Fourth Industrial Revolution, driven by digital technologies, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things (IoT), presents a unique opportunity for Africa to leapfrog traditional economic barriers.
He urged policymakers to adopt a mindset of possibilities and take bold, cooperative actions to integrate technology into their economies.
“Policy makers in Africa must act with a mindset of possibilities. We should embrace technology and not be intimidated by it. We must believe that we can leapfrog the advanced nations in many areas if we put our minds to it,” he said.
Dr. Bawumia further asserted that Africa’s digital transformation is key to unlocking economic potential and creating jobs for the continent’s youth. He cited Ghana’s own digital journey as an example of how technology can drive economic transformation.
“The digital economy holds the key to unlocking Africa’s vast potential and creating jobs for the youth,” he stated.
He concluded by calling for collaboration among governments, businesses, educators, and innovators to build a future where every African can thrive and contribute to a brighter tomorrow.
