Africa Urged to Prioritize AI Governance and Cybersecurity
As artificial intelligence (AI) revolutionizes the global digital landscape, there is an urgent call for African nations, particularly Nigeria, to adopt a unified governance-first strategy for AI development. The recent discussions at the 2025 Africa’s Beacon of ICT Merit & Leadership Award (ABoICT 2025) highlighted the critical need for a structured approach to AI governance.
The Risks of Unregulated AI
Experts have warned that AI without governance is akin to a ticking time bomb. During the discussions, it was emphasized that neglecting the governance and security aspects of AI could lead to dire consequences. One key speaker cautioned against AI washing, where companies mislabel basic software as AI to ride the hype, often lacking true technological integrity or oversight. This misrepresentation can obscure the real challenges and ethical considerations inherent in AI deployment.
Lessons from the Past
The discussion pointed to historical mistakes made in technology development, particularly the early days of the TCP/IP protocol, which was not designed with cybersecurity in mind. It was stated, “We cannot afford to make that error again.” The call for embedding governance by design is stronger than ever.
Governance as an Enabler
One of the key messages was that governance is not a barrier to innovation but an enabler of safe and responsible technological advancement. Clear ethical standards and international benchmarks, such as ISO/IEC 42001 and ISO/IEC 38507, were highlighted as frameworks that could guide responsible AI practices in Nigeria.
The Double-Edged Sword of AI
AI’s potential to enhance national productivity is considerable, yet it also facilitates new forms of cyber manipulation, such as deepfakes and identity theft. The narrative emphasized that it is no longer a question of readiness but one of urgency. Nigeria’s young, tech-savvy population offers great potential, yet existing regulatory frameworks are criticized as being underdeveloped, underfunded, and poorly enforced.
A Multi-Stakeholder Approach
Experts called for a multi-stakeholder approach to AI governance, which includes:
- Government promoting AI education and establishing safe innovation sandboxes.
- Private companies adopting ethical and secure design practices.
- Civil society raising awareness about digital rights and AI risks.
This collaborative effort is pivotal in ensuring that AI innovations do not come at the cost of societal safety and ethical considerations.
Real-World Examples of Governance Failures
It was pointed out that past failures in AI deployment, such as Microsoft’s racist chatbot Tay, Amazon’s gender-biased recruitment AI, and Uber’s fatal autonomous vehicle incident, were not merely technological failures but significant governance failures. These instances serve as cautionary tales for the importance of robust governance frameworks.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the discourse around AI governance in Africa underscores a vital crossroads. The urgency for action is palpable, with experts advocating that both developers and policymakers must act decisively to ensure that Nigeria’s AI future becomes an asset rather than a liability. As AI continues to evolve, the choice remains: will it serve as a great equalizer or become the continent’s greatest vulnerability?
