Sandton: AfricUpdate – News Desk
Ghana and Lesotho have agreed to deepen cooperation on artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation in a bid to accelerate Africa’s role in the global technology ecosystem. Ghana’s Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, hosted Lesotho’s Minister of Communication, Science and Technology, Nthati Moorosi, in Accra this week for talks focused on collaboration in digital policy, innovation and cross-border projects.
The two nations committed to working together on harmonized digital frameworks to avoid policy fragmentation across Africa. As part of the effort, a virtual working group will be created with about 10 countries, including Ghana, Lesotho, Namibia, Rwanda, Nigeria, Guinea, Kenya and Gambia, with South Africa expected to join. The group will map out a joint digital roadmap, with Smart Africa serving as facilitation secretariat.
Ghana announced it will host the Global Entrepreneurship Festival in November, an event expected to connect 100,000 ICT innovators with global investors. In 2026, Accra will also welcome the Divas of ICT forum, organized with Google, which will bring Apple, Nvidia, Microsoft and other tech leaders together with African policymakers to chart digital strategies.
Ghana is preparing to roll out 15 new legislative frameworks covering AI, cybersecurity, emerging technologies, data protection and digital economy policy. George said the legislation will be shared with African partners, including Lesotho, to guide their own digital development.
Both countries discussed developing large language models tailored for agriculture, designed to help farmers overcome language barriers. Ghana pledged to connect its universities with Lesotho’s experts to accelerate research and application.
The ministers also raised the issue of digital value capture, stressing the need for African governments to negotiate more directly with global technology firms on content monetization. George underscored that African nations must deal at the executive level with companies like Google and Meta to secure results.
The talks reflect Africa’s increasing momentum in pooling resources and expertise for digital transformation. By advancing joint policies and AI initiatives, Ghana and Lesotho aim to strengthen Africa’s digital sovereignty and global bargaining power.
