Samuel Nartey George chairs AU committee on communication and ICT

Ghana’s Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has been inaugurated as the chairperson of the African Union’s Specialised Technical Committee (STC) on Communication and ICT. The ceremony took place in Libreville, Gabon, where the Minister took up the leadership mantle for the continental body responsible for steering digital policy across the 55 member states.

During his inaugural address, Mr. George issued a call to action for African nations to reclaim sovereignty over their digital assets. He emphasized that the continent’s data must be harnessed to benefit its own citizens rather than being left for commercial exploitation by foreign technology firms without local advantages. He argued that Africa, representing a unified market of nearly 1.5 billion people, possesses significant collective bargaining power that must be leveraged in negotiations within the global technology market.

Beyond the conceptual need for data sovereignty, the Minister urged African governments to shift their focus from the mere adoption of digital strategies to their active implementation. He highlighted critical pillars such as expanding connectivity, enhancing cybersecurity, and developing Artificial Intelligence (AI) frameworks that are specifically designed to address African needs and contexts. By focusing on these areas, he believes the continent can move from being a consumer of technology to a strategic player.

As chair, Mr. George is expected to lead the committee in harmonizing ICT policies and ensuring that digital innovation serves as a catalyst for economic growth. His appointment underscores the growing influence of Ghana in the continental digital policy space. The focus on local data benefits signals a potential shift in how AU member states will approach future partnerships with international tech giants to ensure the continent's digital transformation is self-sustaining and secure.