Ghana to invest $300 million in artificial intelligence
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on MyJoyOnline
Illustrative image · Laker · Pexels · Licence PexelsThe Ghanaian government plans to invest $300 million between 2027 and 2028 to create a National Artificial Intelligence Centre and upgrade rural mobile networks from 2G to 4G. The announcement, made during the presentation of the 2027 budget, also targets digital training and research, according to Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson.
Ghana will allocate $300 million between 2027 and 2028 to establish a National Artificial Intelligence Centre and upgrade rural 2G mobile networks to 4G, Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson announced on Thursday 12 November before Parliament during the presentation of the 2027 budget.
The National Artificial Intelligence Centre will provide high-performance computing capabilities, secure data environments, applied research laboratories, model-testing infrastructure and training. According to Ato Forson, the equipment will be accessible to businesses, researchers, universities and public institutions, with applications planned notably in agriculture, healthcare, energy, mining, logistics, Ghanaian languages and public services.
The investment will also fund training for young people in software development, data analysis, artificial intelligence, computer networks and digital services. The modernisation of rural networks is intended in particular to enable farmers to access weather forecasts, market information and digital payments, while expanding access to telehealth and educational resources.
The project includes guarantees on data protection, cybersecurity, accessibility and human accountability in high-impact decisions. It is part of the eighth pillar of the Ghanaian government’s “New Economy” economic agenda, presented by Ato Forson in July 2026. The “New Economy” framework in the 2027 budget was then presented as a policy focused on growth and the development of the technology sector.
