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Ghana’s Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, has been elected as the Chairperson of the African Union’s Specialised Technical Committee on Communication and Information Technologies (STC-CICT). The election took place during a ministerial session held in Libreville, Gabon, where member states selected George to lead the body for a two-year term. This appointment places Ghana at the forefront of continental policy-making in the digital and telecommunications sectors.
During his tenure, which is scheduled to commence in October 2026, George plans to prioritize Africa’s digital transformation by addressing several critical pillars of the modern technological landscape. His agenda focuses heavily on expanding connectivity across the continent, enhancing data governance frameworks, and strengthening cybersecurity protocols. Additionally, the Minister aims to spearhead discussions on artificial intelligence, ensuring that African nations develop robust strategies to harness the technology’s potential while mitigating its risks.
The Minister has emphasized the necessity of collective action among African nations to ensure the continent is not merely a consumer of foreign technological innovations. George advocates for a unified approach to digital governance, suggesting that by building consensus, the AU can exert greater influence over global technology standards and regulations. He has pledged to work toward the implementation of existing digital strategies and to foster an environment where indigenous innovation can thrive and compete on the global stage.
As Chairperson, George will be responsible for coordinating the activities of the STC-CICT, which plays a vital role in overseeing the AU's communication and ICT initiatives. The committee's work is essential for the realization of the AU’s Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa (2020-2030). His leadership comes at a time when digital sovereignty and the digital economy are becoming increasingly central to the continent’s economic development and regional integration goals.