Former Vice President of Ghana, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has called on African policymakers to adopt a forward-thinking approach that embraces technology and innovation as key drivers of economic transformation.

Speaking at the 27th Annual Conference of Beyond Borders: A Myth or a Mandate for Africa’s Progress? at Harvard University in Boston, Dr. Bawumia emphasized the critical role of digitalization in accelerating Africa’s development and helping the continent overcome its challenges.

In his address, Dr. Bawumia urged African leaders to approach policymaking with a “mindset of possibilities.

“Policymakers must act with a mindset of possibilities. We should embrace technology and not be intimidated by it. We must believe that we can leapfrog advanced nations in many areas if we put our minds to it,” he stated.

Dr. Bawumia also highlighted Ghana’s evolving economic landscape, noting the country's reliance on informal economic systems for over six decades following independence.

However, he pointed out that significant strides are being made toward building a formal, data-driven economy capable of competing in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

He emphasized that the ongoing shift toward formalized systems and digital platforms is crucial for the country’s future economic prospects.

“Today, we are building formal systems and a database-driven economy to compete in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Our challenge is to use digitalization to solve current problems while laying the foundation for future jobs, leapfrogging from the Second to the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” Dr. Bawumia said.

The former Vice President stressed the importance of technology-driven policies that not only address immediate economic challenges but also create sustainable jobs and position African economies to be globally competitive.