These issues were highlighted during the Nigeria Fintech Week in Lagos on Thursday, where experts emphasized the necessity for comprehensive AI governance throughout Africa.
In a panel discussion, Ikem Isiekwena, Managing Director of Simmons Cooper Partners, warned of an "intelligence trap," where AI systems, predominantly developed using data from the global north, could render Africa dependent on foreign technologies that do not cater to its specific requirements.
Isiekwena remarked, "AI models are primarily based on data from the global north, leading to a lack of representation for African contexts and narratives. The absence of our stories and realities in the data that informs AI could result in a new form of colonialism, where foreign data dictates outcomes in Africa."
He emphasized that this "intelligence trap" poses a serious risk to Africa's sovereignty, as the continent risks becoming a mere consumer of foreign AI solutions. Without adequate local data to shape these models, Africa may end up with tools and systems that do not meet its distinct needs.
Regarding regulatory issues, Isiekwena highlighted the inconsistencies in legal frameworks across African nations. He pointed out that while countries like Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa operate under common law systems, Francophone nations follow civil law systems. These disparities, he noted, complicate the creation of a cohesive regulatory framework for AI across the continent.
Bola Adesina, the Director of Bola Adesina Consulting, emphasized that Africa's regulatory framework is not keeping pace with the swift developments in artificial intelligence. She called for the continent to implement "legacy regulations" to prevent further setbacks.
While recognizing the potential of AI, she highlighted the necessity of establishing robust legal and ethical guidelines to oversee the technology.
"AI is not a completely new phenomenon; it has existed for decades. However, the current surge in user interface innovations, particularly from platforms like OpenAI, is making the technology more user-friendly and applicable. What we anticipated would unfold over the next decade is occurring now," Adesina remarked.
She also warned that Africa's sluggishness in adopting AI-related policies could impede its capacity to fully leverage the advantages of AI.
Adesina pointed to the Malabo Convention, an African Union initiative on data protection that took over seven years to ratify, as an example of the continent's regulatory challenges.
"This slow progress cannot be repeated if we aim to remain competitive. AI transcends borders, and without effective protections, we risk lagging behind," she cautioned.
Adeboye Adetoyese, the Director of Maycode, echoed this sentiment, urging African governments to enhance AI-related policies, especially concerning data protection, ethics, and human rights.
"Africa has the potential to harness AI for substantial economic and social benefits, but this is contingent on having strong policies in place," he stated. He pointed out that while AI is often viewed as a novel technology, it is fundamentally based on concepts that have been established for many years.
Adetoyese noted that the rapid advancements in AI in recent times, primarily driven by improvements in user interfaces, present challenges that many African governments are not adequately prepared to tackle.
The African Union has recently endorsed the Continental Artificial Intelligence Strategy, which is designed to promote the integration of AI within both the public and private sectors of its member states, including Nigeria.
This strategy, made available on the AU website on August 9, aims to leverage the transformative capabilities of AI to foster economic, social, and geopolitical advancements across the continent. The strategy was officially adopted during the AU Executive Council's 45th Ordinary Session held in Accra, Ghana, on July 18-19, and received support from African ICT and Communications Ministers in June.