Digital transformation key to africa’s economic future – Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has emphasized the crucial role of digital transformation in Africa’s economic growth, calling on governments to prioritize digital infrastructure as a driver of industrialization and job creation.
Speaking at the 2025 Africa Prosperity Dialogues in Accra, he highlighted Africa’s unique opportunity to bypass traditional development hurdles by leveraging digital technologies to foster economic inclusion and sustainable growth.
According to him, Africa must move beyond its historical dependence on exporting raw materials and instead embrace technology to add value to its natural resources.
He underscored how digital transformation can drive financial inclusion, enhance public service delivery, and open new economic opportunities.

Mahama advocates for Fintech and E-commerce growth
President Mahama specifically advocated for the expansion of financial technology (Fintech) and e-commerce to facilitate trade and economic participation across the continent.
He stressed the importance of investing in research and development to support homegrown technological innovations.
“We don’t need to go back to inventing the wheel. Digital transformation can drive financial inclusion, improve public service delivery, and create new opportunities for all our people,” he stated.
He also urged African nations to expand internet access and digital infrastructure to bridge the digital divide and enhance economic participation for all citizens.

Technology as a competitive advantage
President Mahama noted that technology has the potential to make Africa more competitive if African leaders strategically embrace and implement digital solutions.
“Prosperity cannot be achieved without good governance, transparency, and accountability. Investors and businesses thrive where there is stability, predictable policies, and the rule of law,” he emphasized.
He also highlighted the growing frustration among Africa’s youth due to limited economic opportunities, calling on leaders to take urgent steps to address unemployment through digital innovation and investment.

Commitment to strengthening democratic institutions
President Mahama cautioned that economic growth must go hand in hand with strengthening democratic institutions.
“Our decision to embrace democratic governance was supposed to lead to an improvement in the lives of our people and prosperity for all. Unfortunately, progress in this regard has been sluggish and largely intangible,” he remarked.
He urged African leaders to reaffirm their commitment to democracy by ensuring free, fair, and transparent elections, as well as by creating policies that promote economic stability and inclusiveness.

Africa Prosperity Network lauded
President Mahama commended the Africa Prosperity Network (APN) for organizing the Africa Prosperity Dialogues and reiterated Ghana’s commitment to supporting the initiative.
“This conference is a testament to our collective commitment to unlocking Africa’s full potential and ensuring that our continent takes its rightful place in the global economic system,” he stated.

The Africa Prosperity Network is a non-profit organization that runs the Africa Prosperity Dialogues, providing platforms for collaboration among political leaders, business executives, civil society, and academia to drive Africa’s economic growth.
Other African leaders who participated in the 2025 Presidential Session of the Africa Prosperity Dialogues included President Faure Gnassingbé of Togo and President Azali Assoumani of Comoros.

A vision for Africa’s future

The conference concluded with a call for African governments to embrace digital transformation as a means of fostering economic resilience, enhancing trade, and creating a more prosperous and self-sufficient continent.
With continued investment in technology, infrastructure, and governance, Africa is well-positioned to achieve sustainable economic growth and greater global competitiveness.