Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has cautioned against what he describes as the growing exploitation of Africa’s digital resources by global technology companies, warning that the continent risks a new form of colonisation if it fails to take control of its data.
Speaking in an interview with Adom News after addressing participants at the 4th African Inter-Parliamentary Conference on Family Sovereignty and Values held at Parliament House, the Ningo-Prampram MP called on African countries to unite and strengthen control over their digital assets.
According to him, Africa must move urgently to establish ownership and regulatory authority over its data to prevent external interests from benefiting disproportionately from the continent’s growing digital economy.
Drawing comparisons between historical forms of exploitation and modern data practices, Mr. George argued that some multinational technology companies are benefiting from African data in ways that echo past systems of domination.
He said fragmented regulatory frameworks across the continent have made it easier for foreign entities to access and utilise African data with limited oversight.
“I think that it’s simply because divided people are conquered people. The story of colonisation followed the same script. Communities set against themselves, aiding all kinds of barbaric action, and Ghana is leading the reparations movement. But even as we talk about reparations for slavery, we must be careful that a new colonisation and trade of digital assets from Africa do not begin to arise,” he said.
The minister further alleged that large technology firms continue to collect vast amounts of data from African users without adequate engagement with governments or meaningful economic benefits for host countries.
He stressed that Africa must adopt a common position on data governance and implement policies that protect citizens’ information while ensuring that data generated on the continent contributes to local development.
“And that’s why I think that it’s important that as an African continent we take a defined, definite position to say that the stealing, there’s no nice diplomatic way of putting it, the stealing of African data must stop. African data has been stolen by big tech without recourse to African governments,” he stated.
Mr. George’s remarks come as Ghana continues efforts to position itself as a leading digital and technology hub in West Africa through investments in data infrastructure, digital innovation and data protection systems.
He noted that digital sovereignty has become a critical component of national development and argued that African countries cannot achieve full independence in the digital age if they remain dependent on foreign-controlled platforms and technologies.
The minister concluded by calling on governments, parliaments and regional institutions across Africa to collaborate in developing stronger safeguards for the continent’s digital future.
“And we need to wake up to that and begin to say that we can only use our data on our own basis. We must own our data. And I expect that we will come together to fight these forces that are looking to destroy us,” he said.