At the 15th Africa Internet Governance Forum on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, Ghana’s Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations Sam George called on African states to take control of their digital destiny. He cautioned that powerful global interests are currently drafting the rules, standards and algorithms that will govern the continent’s digital life, and that Africa risks being left on the periphery of that process.
George said the continent must move beyond reliance on externally developed digital systems and instead build the capacity to design, develop and regulate technologies that reflect African needs and realities. “Today, powerful interests are shaping the digital world. Rules are being written. Standards are being set. Algorithms are deciding what our people see, what they buy, and what they believe. Africa cannot stand on the edge of that process,” he said.
Drawing on the legacy of Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, George urged African leaders to approach digital development with the same determination that guided the struggle for political independence. He recalled Nkrumah’s declaration that “we face neither east nor west. We face forward,” arguing that the principle remains relevant for digital sovereignty. “We must, and we cannot, import our digital future ready‑made. We must design our future ourselves,” he added.
While acknowledging that individual countries cannot achieve digital sovereignty in isolation, George called for stronger continental cooperation. He said the Africa Internet Governance Forum must evolve from an annual conference into a platform for developing common African positions and translating them into action, ensuring the continent has a meaningful voice in global digital decision‑making.
Moving forward, African nations will need to collaborate on building indigenous digital infrastructures, setting local standards, and crafting policies that address unique regional challenges. The next steps involve convening technical working groups, securing funding for local tech ecosystems, and engaging with international partners on a level of equality rather than dependence.
