Sam Jonah urges Africa to develop homegrown digital technologies

Sir Sam Jonah, Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast and Executive Chairman of Sir Jonah Capital Limited, has called on African nations to develop indigenous digital technologies to avoid becoming mere consumers of imported artificial intelligence and software.

Speaking at the Methodist University International Conference in Accra, Jonah warned that failing to control digital resources could lead to a repeat of historical patterns where Africa exports raw materials and imports finished goods. He emphasized that the continent must move beyond using existing applications to creating them, specifically to address local challenges in sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, logistics, energy, and finance.

Jonah urged universities to prioritize training individuals in coding and software development rather than just application usage. He also highlighted the success of mobile money as an example of African innovation born from local necessity and stressed that fostering a culture of job creation is essential for economic stability.