The Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, has called on African countries to move beyond digital ambitions and translate their progress into practical action to bridge the continent’s digital divide.
He said Africa must shift from speeches to implementation, pilot projects to large-scale deployment, and national initiatives to global impact to ensure that the benefits of digital development reach more people.
Speaking at the 15th Africa Internet Governance Forum 2026 in Accra, Mr George acknowledged the progress made by African countries in developing digital solutions across agriculture, health, education and commerce.
He also highlighted efforts by governments to move public services online and regional cooperation towards creating a continental digital market.
“These gains are real. They are African-made, and they prove that Africa is not standing still,” he said.
However, the Minister cautioned that digital progress did not necessarily translate into inclusion, noting that many Africans remained disconnected despite living within reach of telecommunications signals.
He identified the affordability of internet access and smartphones as major barriers preventing some people from participating fully in the digital economy.
According to him, a smartphone remains too expensive for some families, taking up a significant share of their monthly income.
Mr George said the availability of digital public services would have limited value to citizens who could not afford or access the internet.
He further warned that emerging start-ups could struggle to expand when they faced multiple barriers in developing and delivering their products.
He said addressing these challenges required a deliberate shift towards practical implementation and scaling up digital initiatives to ensure that the continent’s technological progress translated into broader access and participation.
Mr George’s remarks underscored the need for African countries to make digital development more inclusive by addressing the barriers that prevent citizens and businesses from benefiting from technological advancement.
