Alex Bram commits Hubtel to support Ghana's national AI fund

Alex Bram, the Chief Executive Officer of Hubtel, has announced the company's commitment to contribute to Ghana's proposed national Artificial Intelligence (AI) fund. This initiative is a central component of the government's broader strategy to establish a robust digital ecosystem, which includes a total projected investment of US$270 million. The fund is designed to finance the development of critical digital infrastructure and foster innovation within the technology sector, positioning Ghana as a regional leader in AI adoption.

According to Mr. Bram, the success of the national AI strategy depends on a strong partnership between the government and the private sector. While the government has committed to funding a national compute center and the AI fund itself, private entities like Hubtel, alongside banks, fintech firms, and telecommunications companies, are expected to play a vital role. Bram suggested that the government could provide specific incentives to encourage more private investment in AI capabilities, ensuring that the financial burden is shared across the industry to build a more resilient infrastructure.

Beyond financial investment, the Hubtel CEO identified significant hurdles that must be addressed to ensure the strategy's success. He highlighted the current scarcity of qualified AI personnel and the difficulties in accessing high-quality data in the local market. Bram urged the government to prioritize skill development and data availability alongside physical infrastructure. He emphasized that without a workforce capable of managing and innovating with AI tools, the infrastructure alone would not be enough to drive the desired economic growth.

These remarks come ahead of the Digital Economy Forum, where key stakeholders will gather to discuss the opportunities and potential disruptions posed by AI in Ghana. The discussions aim to refine the national strategy and identify how various sectors can leverage AI to improve efficiency and service delivery. By aligning financial commitments with educational and regulatory reforms, the government and private sector leaders hope to create a sustainable framework for technological advancement that benefits the entire Ghanaian economy.