As the global race for Artificial Intelligence (AI) supremacy accelerates, Ghana and Africa stand at a pivotal crossroads. No longer just a consumer of technology, the continent is poised to become a shaper of it. Leading this charge is Ghana, where the convergence of visionary government policy, robust private sector investment, and a burgeoning civil society is setting the stage for a new era of digital leadership.
At the heart of this transformation is the Pan African AI Summit (PAAIS) 2026. The summit returns to Ghana for the 2nd time on 22nd – 23rd September at the prestigious Kempinski Hotel, as a convening power that is fast becoming the engine for AI awareness, collaboration, and action. In a bold move to democratize the new wave of technology, AI, the organizers have confirmed that participation will remain free for all delegates. This decision is a strategic alignment with Ghana’s National AI Strategy to ensure “inclusive growth” and “improve lives”. By removing financial barriers, the Summit becomes a true engine for ethical and inclusive AI adoption across the continent.
Working in sync and with the support of institutions, media, businesses, and civil society around the principles of the newly launched Ghana National AI Strategy, the Summit serves as the critical free forum where high-level policy meets grassroots reality.
A Strategy for “AI for All”.
The foundation of the PAAIS initiative stems from Ghana’s ambitious National AI Strategy. Developed by the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation (MoCD) with support from Smart Africa and GIZ FAIR Forward, the strategy envisions Ghana as the “AI Hub” of West Africa by 2033.
Crucially, the document moves beyond mere technological adoption; it prioritizes “inclusive growth” and “improving lives”. It recognizes that for AI to be truly transformative, it must be ethical and accessible to all—not just the urban elite. The strategy explicitly outlines an “AI-Powered Society” where the technology advances the potential of marginalized communities, bridging the gap rather than widening it.
Private Sector Fuel into The AI Journey: MTN’s Historic Investment
While policy provides the roadmap, public and private resources fuel the journey. In a landmark move that underscores the vital role of public-private partnerships (PPPs) advocated in the National Strategy, MTN Ghana has committed $2 million to the Ministry of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation.
This substantial funding is directed toward the “One Million Coders” initiative, a flagship program designed to equip Ghana’s youth with critical digital skills. This investment directly operationalises Pillar 2 of the National AI Strategy: “Empower Youth for AI Jobs of the Future”. This is also inherently embedded in the Pan African AI Summit theme. By training youth in coding and digital literacy, MTN is helping to build the “pool of talent” necessary to sustain a local AI ecosystem.
The announcement was contained in a statement issued and jointly signed by Madam Adwoa Wiafe and Madam Georgina Asare Fiagbenu, MTN Ghana’s Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer and Senior Manager, Corporate Communications, respectively.
It said the contribution followed a commitment by MTN Group’s Chief Executive Officer – Ralph Mupita, Vice President (VP) for Ghana, Southern and East Africa, Ebenezer Asante and Stephen Blewett during engagements with the Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations on the sidelines of the GSMA Mobile World Congress in Barcelona last year.
Another milestone worthy of mention, is MTN’s involvement that extends to the development of a $25 million ICT Hub, which aligns perfectly with Pillar 3, calling for “Deepening Digital Infrastructure” and establishing innovation hubs to support start-ups and researchers.
The Summit as a Catalyst for Ethics and Inclusion
The Pan African AI Summit leverages these developments to drive a broader action on ethics and inclusion. As the National Strategy warns, AI brings risks from algorithmic bias to data privacy violations that can disproportionately harm vulnerable populations.
The Summit provides the platform opportunity to operationalise the strategy’s “Responsible AI Office” (RAI Office), a body mandated to champion ethical deployment and coordinate stakeholders. Through panels, workshops, and policy dialogues, the Summit ensures that:
- Civil Society has a voice in defining “fairness” in AI algorithms, preventing bias against local demographics.
- Institutions adopt the recommended “AI Ethical Guidelines” and data protection standards.
- Businesses view algorithms as intellectual property while adhering to transparency standards that build public trust.
The synergy between the Government’s strategic framework and MTN’s financial muscle is a “proof of concept” that the Pan African AI Summit applaud across the continent. It positions Ghana as not just building codes; we are building character and capacity,” noted in the ethos of the new strategy.
For institutions, businesses, media, tech community, academia and civil society leaders, the message is clear: The Pan African AI Summit 2926 is serving as the engine room where the blueprint for a responsible, inclusive
African digital future is being written.
As Ghana steps into its role as a north star, the Summit invites all stakeholders to move from observation to participation and action, ensuring that the AI revolution in Ghana and Africa leaves no one behind, it will:
■ Empower the student trained by the “One Million Coders” initiative.
■ Scale the entrepreneur incubating in the new ICT Hubs.
■ Advance with the civil society leader advocating for ethical algorithms.
■ Build ethically with local data for communities in low bandwidth areas yearning to solve local challenges in health, agriculture, education and and finance.
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