Technology experts have reiterated the need for Nigeria to develop indigenous Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions to better protect data privacy and prevent misuse of Africa’s digital resources by external entities.
The call was made on Wednesday in Abuja during an AI Summit hosted by the Centre for Journalism, Innovation and Development, which brought together specialists and technology stakeholders.
Speakers at the event expressed concern that, despite producing massive digital content consumed globally, Africa still lacks real control over its online data, which is often exploited commercially by international tech companies.
Kiito Shilongo, Senior Tech Fellow at the Mozilla Foundation, noted that the continent “is not compensated for the use of its data,” even though African-generated content contributes significantly to global digital value.
She stressed that data drives social, political and cultural advancements, yet African communities receive little or no benefit from the wealth created through their contributions.
Shilongo added that compensation should go beyond financial rewards and include meaningful participation in designing digital products deployed across Africa.
“It’s not always economic,” she said, insisting that Africans must have a say in how their data is used and how technologies built from that data evolve.
According to her, increased public awareness would empower citizens to understand their data rights and influence the digital tools shaping their lives.
Dr. Oluwaseun Adepoju, Managing Partner at Co-Creation Hub, said local data governance was essential because data underpins every stage of the AI value chain.
He argued that although Africans can give consent or request data deletion, the continent still lacks the foundational infrastructure required for a robust AI ecosystem.
Adepoju pushed for stricter enforcement of data protection laws and recommended value-based exchange models, such as community-driven data-donation frameworks, to ensure citizens retain influence over the use of their information.
Also speaking, Seyi Olufemi, Country Director of Nubia AI, underscored the need for linguistic inclusion to help people clearly understand their data rights and possible compensation options.
He said improved data literacy would enable Africans to grasp how their information is shared and applied across sectors.
Olufemi added that developing local AI tools and establishing African-owned data centres would improve regulatory control and align data governance with African realities and cultural priorities.
Similarly, Kwabena Offei-Kwadey, IT Manager at Quantum LC Company, said the continent must build data systems that reflect its cultural identity and socio-economic needs.
He explained that many AI platforms produce inaccurate or unsuitable results because they are trained on datasets that poorly represent African languages, experiences and contexts.
Offei-Kwadey called on governments and private-sector leaders to invest in innovators creating AI solutions grounded in African values and societal structures.
According to him, such support would improve Africa’s competitiveness and ensure the continent secures its place in shaping the global AI future.