The Director-General of the Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT (GI-KACE), Ing Dr Collins Yeboah-Afari, has urged Africans to create systems and infrastructure to store and process data internally.
At the Rethink Africa Intelligence Conference (RAIC) 2026 at UPSA, he stressed Africa’s potential to develop and use its own data processing and monetization systems, highlighting the critical importance of local ownership.
According to Dr Yeboah-Afari, Africa is the youngest continent, with a greater number of young adults under the age of 20, making it a home for globally digitally powered individuals who need structured infrastructure and belief to innovate.
“We are the youngest continent on earth, with a median age under 20. We are home to a generation that is mobile-first, digitally native, and globally connected. This generation does not need permission to innovate. They only need platforms, infrastructure, and belief,” he stated.
Dr. Yeboah-Afari, in his goodwill message, acknowledged the efforts of GI-KACE in shaping future-ready individuals by teaching and equipping them with the skills that enable them not only to code but also to solve real-life problems.
“For over two decades, the Centre has trained tens of thousands across Africa, deployed advanced computing infrastructure and pioneered digital capacity development,” he said, and continued by stating that Africa only faces three choices that it must choose from, and not by looking at which option is possible.”
“Today, we are investing in AI training and talent pipelines, high-performance computing systems, cybersecurity and intelligent systems, and innovation ecosystems that connect ideas to impact. Because intelligence is not built-in isolation, it is built through ecosystems,” he added.
Dr. Yeboah-Afari urged that RAIC 2026 must serve as the starting point for Africans to develop the infrastructure and systems needed to lead in the intelligence age, reinforcing the main call to action.
“We can consume, we can participate in intelligence, or we can lead in intelligence. The question is not which option is possible, but rather which option do we choose?” he quized.
The event hosted a number of dignitaries from reputable companies who shared insights on the importance of shifting Africa from a mere consumer of data to a creator of data systems that tell our potential and contribution to digital knowledge.
By: Fafali Gedza (NSP)