BoG Governor rallies IMF to back Africa’s digital sovereignty

Dr. Johnson Asiama, the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, has implored the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to champion Africa's digital sovereignty and prudent utilization of artificial intelligence (AI). Asiama made this plea during the Second-Round Governors’ Intervention meeting in Bangkok, which took place alongside the 2026 International Monetary Fund/World Bank Group annual meetings.

He stressed that unless the continent initiates prompt, coordinated actions and strengthens its partnership with the IMF, it risks further lagging in the global technology race. Speaking on behalf of fellow African Governors at the African Caucus Meeting with IMF Managing Director, Asiama emphasized AI's transformative impact on productivity, competitiveness, governance, and finance.

He highlighted Africa's advancements in digital payments, national identification systems, and AI-driven financial services, including Ghana's cross-border tests integrating digital currencies, stablecoins, bank accounts, and mobile wallets with those in Rwanda and Nigeria. He identified regulatory capacity, cybersecurity, infrastructure, and financing as areas where Africa faces challenges.

Asiama appealed to the IMF for assistance in capacity building, governance, and analytical leadership to amplify Africa's digital voice, enhance standards, and incorporate AI into surveillance and affordable infrastructure. He underscored that the convergence of AI, data, and finance has become central to macro-financial stability, urging the Fund to view Africa's digital agenda as a core economic resilience matter, not a secondary technological issue.

Asiama called for tailored capacity development, stronger African representation in shaping global digital norms, and the integration of AI into surveillance and the Financial Sector Assessment Programme (FSAPs). He emphasized the need to analyze AI's effects on productivity, employment, financial resilience, and inclusive growth in Africa, while promoting global policy coherence on data governance, digital trade, and cross-border AI regulation.

Asiama urged the IMF to aid in mobilizing affordable financing for secure digital public infrastructure, advocating for coordinated efforts by African governments to tackle constraints and ensure safe, inclusive use of emerging technologies. In a separate discussion, Asiama revealed Ghana's pilot of a central bank digital cross-border payment system incorporating mobile money, leveraging existing infrastructure like PAPSS to reduce costs and enhance trade efficiency.

He stressed that the future of African payments will not be dictated by a single technology; instead, central banks should focus on ensuring safe, efficient, resilient, and inclusive systems. Kristalina Georgieva, Head of the IMF, affirmed the Fund's commitment to supporting African members in reinforcing resilience against a more volatile global environment through customized policy advice and capacity development.

She noted that the Fund would provide financing when necessary, assist in rebuilding policy buffers, protect vulnerable populations, and promote resilient, inclusive, and job-rich growth across the continent.