AI Ambition versus ICT Reality: Assessing Ghana’s ICT Sector Readiness for Large-Scale Artificial Intelligence Growth

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly recognized as a strategic driver of economic transformation, innovation, and public sector modernization. While many developing countries have adopted ambitious digital transformation agendas to harness the potential of AI, the readiness of their underlying information and communication technology (ICT) ecosystems is uncertain. This study assesses Ghana's ICT sector readiness for large-scale AI growth by examining whether the country's digital infrastructure, human capital, data ecosystem, innovation capacity, and governance frameworks provide an adequate foundation for sustainable AI development.

This study adopts a qualitative desk-based research design based on secondary data obtained from national policy documents, government reports, and publications from international organizations, including the International Telecommunication Union, World Bank, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, UNESCO, Oxford Insights, Stanford Artificial Intelligence Index, and World Economic Forum. A multidimensional AI readiness assessment framework comprising five pillars was used to evaluate Ghana's preparedness for large-scale AI adoption.

The findings indicate that Ghana has made significant progress in digital transformation by expanding Internet connectivity, widespread mobile penetration, growing digital financial services, improved digital governance, and an emerging innovation ecosystem. However, the assessment also identified important constraints, including limited high-performance computing infrastructure, shortages of specialized AI expertise, fragmented data ecosystems, relatively low AI research commercialization, inadequate investment in advanced AI innovation, and the absence of a comprehensive national AI strategy. Overall, Ghana demonstrates moderate ICT readiness for large-scale AI growth, with considerable potential for future development if its structural challenges are addressed.

The study concludes that Ghana's ambition to become an AI-enabled economy currently exceeds the maturity of its ICT ecosystem. It recommends targeted investments in advanced digital infrastructure, AI skills development, data governance, research and innovation, and institutional coordination to strengthen the national AI readiness. This study contributes an evidence-based framework for evaluating AI readiness in developing economies and offers practical policy insights for accelerating responsible and inclusive AI development in Ghana.