Africa Still Faces a Governance Challenge – Haruna Iddrisu

Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has stressed the urgent need for increased investment in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as part of a broader strategy to propel the country—and Africa at large—into a sustainable digital future.

“The government and the president have allocated an equivalent of almost $45 million for our national research fund.

“Our institutions are doing pretty well, and ICT is still not the best,” he admitted while speaking to the media on Wednesday.

“We have to get more connected and deploy more fibre and broadband. Internet connectivity and its usage are not the best, but I can only agree with you that Africa still has a governance deficit and governance challenge.”

His comments came during a regional conversation on education, innovation, and digital transformation, where leaders across Africa are aligning on ways to address youth unemployment and lagging ICT infrastructure.

Meanwhile, Dr. Thokozani Khupe, head of the Zimbabwean delegation, made a compelling case for governments to adopt a more entrepreneurial mindset in education policy.

Read Also: Ghana Must Prepare for Global Economic Shocks – Terkper Warns

“We now want to produce job creators and not job seekers,” she said.

“So that when our students graduate from university, instead of them starting to look for a job, we want them to create jobs.”

Dr. Khupe emphasized the need for innovation hubs across African universities, where students with ideas can be mentored and supported.

“If a student has an idea, the student must be given a space in the innovation hub so they can start working on their product… so that at the end of the day, they can produce a product that is ready for market.”

This development resonates deeply with me and a lot of African youth.

We’re at a point where access to digital tools, reliable internet, and entrepreneurial mentorship should no longer be considered luxuries but necessities.

Source: Liberalprint.com