Digital innovation could widen Africa’s inequalities if people are left out – Sam Jonah

Sir Sam Jonah, a prominent business leader, has cautioned that digital innovation could exacerbate inequality in Africa if the advantages it brings are confined to a select few. He emphasized that governments, universities, and businesses must ensure digital policies and platforms do not bar those lacking dependable internet access, electricity, or the means to engage in the digital economy.

At Methodist University Ghana's international conference in Accra, Sir Sam, delivering the keynote address for the university's 25th anniversary celebrations, questioned whether every new digital initiative considers who might be excluded. He pointed out that a child in Dansoman with a laptop and a reliable internet connection enjoys vastly different opportunities compared to a village child without electricity.

According to Sir Sam, if digital innovation benefits only the connected, it will not alleviate Africa's inequalities; it will widen them. He also highlighted the challenges women face in accessing credit, owning land, and attaining leadership roles across Africa. Drawing from his role as the patron of the Executive Women Network in Accra, Sir Sam underscored that women have proven what they can achieve when given chances.

He warned that an economy that underutilizes half its talent is operating on a single leg. Sir Sam advocated for inclusive development, urging businesses and institutions to broaden access to finance, markets, technology, and decision-making. He also stressed the importance of recognizing technical and vocational education, emphasizing that not every young person needs a university degree but every young person needs a skill.

For Africa’s industrial growth, he argued, the continent must give greater recognition to technicians, artisans, and engineers. Sir Sam further stressed the significance of mentorship, describing the chance to learn from experienced individuals as one of the most valuable contributions leaders can make to the next generation. He attributed his own career success to managers at Ashanti Goldfields who recognized his potential early on. "The greatest gift we can give the next generation is not money. It is a chance," he concluded.