Somalia Urges Investment in Digital Infrastructure At Korea-Africa Finance Forum
Somalia's Finance Minister has called for increased investment in digital infrastructure, energy, and data networks at the Korea-Africa Finance Forum. He emphasized that African nations need foundational infrastructure to effectively leverage artificial intelligence for economic growth.
Why it matters
It underscores the digital divide and the strategic necessity for developing nations to build physical and financial infrastructure before they can participate in the global AI economy.
Seoul, South Korea - Somalia's Finance Minister Bihi Iman Egeh on Wednesday called for greater investment in energy, fibre-optic networks, data infrastructure and accountable financing as African countries seek to harness artificial intelligence to accelerate economic development.
Speaking at the eighth Korea-Africa Finance Cooperation Conference in Seoul, Egeh said Africa's ambitions should go beyond simply adopting artificial intelligence, stressing that countries also need the underlying infrastructure and financial capacity required to make the technology useful for development.
The conference, attended by African finance ministers and other officials, was held under the theme "Harnessing Artificial Intelligence through Infrastructure Development to Accelerate Africa's Transformation."
"Africa's ambition should not be limited to adopting artificial intelligence," Egeh said, highlighting the need to build reliable energy systems, fibre-optic connectivity and data infrastructure alongside stronger financial institutions based on accountability.
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