Ghana commits $70 million to AI infrastructure, launches national strategy – Mahama

Ghana has announced a major push into artificial intelligence with a $70 million investment aimed at building critical digital infrastructure and supporting innovation, President John Dramani Mahama has revealed.

Speaking at the official launch of Ghana’s Artificial Intelligence programme, President Mahama stressed that robust infrastructure is essential for the country to compete in the digital age.

“AI cannot thrive without infrastructure. Data, computing power, connectivity and energy are now as strategic to the digital age as roads, railways and power plants were to earlier eras of development,” he stated.

He explained that government is prioritising the strengthening of Ghana’s digital backbone to support the growing demands of emerging technologies.

“The government is therefore taking steps to strengthen our national data centre and ensure that our digital backbone is secure, resilient and capable of supporting the growing demands of the AI systems we are building deliberately,” he added.

As part of the initiative, President Mahama announced that Ghana will invest $50 million to establish a world-class AI Computing Centre. An additional $20 million will be committed to the short- to medium-term implementation of the country’s national AI strategy.

“These investments are bold but necessary. Infrastructure is the foundation upon which innovation rests,” he said.

According to the President, the proposed AI Computing Centre will serve as a hub for research, innovation and enterprise, empowering local talent to develop solutions not only for Ghana but across the African continent.

“The proposed AI computing centre will serve as a new centre for research, innovation and enterprise, enabling Ghanaian talent to build solutions, not only for our country, but also for the wider African continent,” Mahama noted.

The initiative marks a significant step in Ghana’s efforts to position itself as a leader in artificial intelligence and digital transformation in Africa.