Africa Must Create, Not Consume Technology, MTN Group SVP Charges ATU Graduates to Lead Continent’s Innovation Future

Africa Must Create, Not Consume Technology, MTN Group SVP Charges ATU Graduates to Lead Continent’s Innovation Future

Senior Vice President of MTN Group, Mr. Ebenezer Asante, has called for stronger collaboration between academia, industry and government to cultivate a new generation of African innovators capable of shaping the continent’s technological destiny.

Speaking at the 2025 Graduation Ceremony of Accra Technical University (ATU), held under the theme “Emerging Technologies: How Prepared is the ATU Graduate?”, Mr. Asante urged young Africans to step boldly into the global innovation arena.

He challenged graduates to move beyond being passive users of technology to becoming architects of Africa’s digital future.

“The curious, tech-savvy graduate of the 21st century will not only use technology, but will also shape it—with foresight and a shared sense of human purpose,” he said.

Africa Falling Behind in Global Innovation

Mr. Asante expressed concern over Africa’s shrinking presence in global innovation metrics. Citing the 2023 WIPO Report, he noted that the continent’s share of global technology patent filings has fallen from 4.4% a decade ago to 3.2% in 2023, despite Africa accounting for more than 18% of the world’s population.

He described the drop as alarming and called for immediate action through deeper partnerships among universities, private industry, policymakers and investors.

“If we are serious about addressing Africa’s complex developmental challenges through technology, then we must position ourselves within the global invention ecosystem,” he emphasized.

Learn. Unlearn. Relearn The New Currency of Competitiveness

Drawing on the ideas of futurist Alvin Toffler and academic Professor Akosua Ampofo, he stressed that Africa’s competitiveness will depend on its young people’s ability to learn, unlearn and relearn.

He argued that the most successful graduates of the 21st century will be those who blend technical competence with creativity, empathy and teamwork,attributes that fuel high-impact innovation.

Mr. Asante urged graduates to embrace a growth mindset, maintaining that behavioural flexibility is just as critical as academic credentials.

“Do not fear the unknown. Identify what you possess that can make a difference, and keep applying yourself until you break through.
Stubborn perseverance is what the world is waiting for from you.”

Unlocking Opportunities Through Technology

Highlighting technology’s transformative role, he identified opportunities across key sectors including sanitation, healthcare, agriculture, education and energy.

He praised The Buz Stop Boys, a youth-led sanitation movement in Ghana, as a shining example of civic-driven innovation. He encouraged graduates to explore cutting-edge solutions such as IoT systems, smart city technologies, robotics and drone applications to tackle urban waste and other pressing challenges.

A New World of Work

Mr. Asante also pointed to the changing nature of work, noting that digital tools now allow African youth to work for global employers without relocating.

He urged the class to embrace opportunities in freelancing, digital entrepreneurship and hybrid work, powered by AI platforms, cloud services and digital payment systems like MoMo.

A Call to Shape the Continent’s Digital Future

He concluded by calling on the graduates to play active roles in advancing Ghana’s national digitalization agenda and supporting the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which envisions an inclusive, sustainable and technologically advanced Africa.