At the prestigious Cambridge Africa Business Conference, Ghana’s Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia delivered a rousing message of purpose and progress, declaring, “I was made for this!” His bold statement punctuated a keynote address that outlined Africa’s digital transformation as not just a policy priority but a personal mission. 

The statement captured the audience’s attention and quickly trended on social media.

Dr. Bawumia positioned himself as a champion of Africa’s emerging digital future, urging African leaders and institutions to seize the moment. “This is Africa’s time,” he told participants. 

“We are witnessing a convergence of talent, innovation, and policy readiness that must not be squandered.” His address covered Ghana’s achievements in digitization—from mobile money interoperability to digital national identity systems.

He argued that technology can help Africa leapfrog traditional development barriers. 

With Ghana as a case study, he explained how technology has been used to enhance public service delivery, improve financial inclusion, and drive tax mobilization. 

He emphasised that Africa’s youth, with their energy and digital fluency, are key to building sustainable economies and resilient institutions.

The former Vice President also took the opportunity to call for more collaboration between African governments, academia, and the private sector. 

He highlighted the importance of partnerships with universities like Cambridge in driving innovation and research tailored to African needs. 

“Africa must invest in the minds of its people,” he said, “and that begins with education and access to technology.”

Dr. Bawumia’s confident posture and memorable quote, “I was made for this,” signalled more than political ambition—it reflected a technocrat’s deep belief in the continent’s potential. 

For many at Cambridge and beyond, it was a moment of clarity: Africa’s digital transformation has found one of its most vocal and passionate advocates