Bawumia urges Africa to slash mobile data costs for AI inclusion

Sky-high data costs are locking millions out of Africa's digital future. Can policy reforms bridge the gap before the AI divide widens even further?

, and Administrator

2026 March 29 . 8:01 AM

1 min read

The image shows a poster with text and a logo that reads "19 million households are saving $30-75 per month on high-speed internet". The poster is likely highlighting the fact that 19 million households have a significant amount of money spent on high speed internet.

Bawumia urges Africa to slash mobile data costs for AI inclusion

Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Ghana's former Vice President, has called for urgent action to cut mobile data costs across Africa. Speaking at the LSE Africa Summit 2026 in London on March 28, he warned that high prices are blocking the continent's involvement in the global AI revolution. Without cheaper access, he argued, the benefits of digital innovation will stay out of reach for most people. Dr Bawumia highlighted the gap between internet availability and actual affordability. While internet penetration in Africa has grown, uneven access and steep costs still limit participation. He stressed that connectivity alone is not enough—policymakers must ensure quality and reasonable pricing.

In Ghana, the cost of 1GB of data varies widely, ranging from around $0.05 to $1.50, depending on the provider and package. Despite these relatively competitive rates, low-income households still struggle to afford regular access. The situation is worse in many other African countries, where entry-level broadband prices in 2025 remained above the UN's affordability benchmark. The former vice president urged governments to prioritise infrastructure investment and policy reforms. Without these changes, he warned, AI advancements will only benefit a small, privileged segment of society. His speech also noted that the provided search results lacked relevant data on African mobile broadband costs, focusing instead on unrelated topics like German telecommunications and London tourism.

Dr Bawumia's remarks underscore the need for cheaper, more reliable internet across Africa. Without policy shifts to lower data costs, the continent risks falling further behind in the digital economy. His call to action targets both infrastructure upgrades and fairer pricing to ensure broader access to AI opportunities.