Former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has called on African leaders and policymakers to act decisively to ensure the continent does not once again miss out on a transformative era of global development, warning that the digital revolution will define future prosperity.
Delivering the keynote address at the LSE Africa Summit 2026 at the London School of Economics on March 28, Dr. Bawumia said digitalisation and artificial intelligence have moved beyond theory and are now central to economic survival and competitiveness.
“It is the case that we are in the midst of a global digital revolution.
“Artificial intelligence, big data, cloud computing, and the Internet of Things — they are not just buzzwords, they are reshaping our world.” - Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia
He stressed that “digitalization is no longer at the periphery. It is front and center; it is a necessity for survival and prosperity in the 21st century.”
A history of missed industrial opportunities
Reflecting on Africa’s development trajectory, Dr. Bawumia argued that the continent has repeatedly failed to fully participate in previous industrial revolutions, with lasting consequences for economic transformation and global competitiveness.
“Africa missed the first industrial revolution,” he said, referencing the shift from manual production to mechanised systems powered by steam and coal.
He added that the continent also failed to capitalise on the second industrial revolution, driven by electricity and mass production, as well as the third, which was shaped by computers and digital computing.
According to him, the fourth industrial revolution presents a rare and urgent opportunity for Africa to change course.
“We are now in the fourth industrial revolution,” he said, noting that the fusion of the internet, smart devices and AI has “opened up amazing possibilities with no end in sight.”
Leadership, not talent, is the real gap
Dr. Bawumia rejected the idea that Africa’s challenge is a lack of capable people, insisting instead that the real deficit lies in leadership, policy clarity and long-term investment.
“Africa does not lack talent. What we lack is deliberateness, leadership and investment to create the ecosystems where innovations and innovators thrive.” - Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia
He said the continent’s limited technological progress over the last century was largely due to weak investment in research and development and the failure to build enabling environments for innovators.
Call for bold policy action
Dr. Bawumia urged African governments to respond to the digital age with urgency and confidence, rather than hesitation.
“There is no doubt that digitalization and artificial intelligence will shape the economies of the future.
“Policy makers in Africa must recognize this and act with a mindset that says that we cannot afford to be left behind this time.” - Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia
He concluded with a direct appeal for Africa to embrace emerging technologies without fear.
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