As artificial intelligence advances and global tech platforms dominate, Africa faces a pressing question: who truly owns the data generated by its people? The recently concluded AI Summit in Abuja brought together tech leaders, policymakers, and civil society experts, all agreeing that data must belong to Africans. Stakeholders emphasised the need for digital sovereignty through community ownership models and locally developed AI tools, ensuring that Africans retain control, receive fair compensation, and shape their own digital future.
Mozilla Foundation’s Senior Tech Policy Fellow, Kiito Shilongo, highlighted the importance of transparency and community involvement in data governance. Through initiatives like the Data Futures Lab and Mozilla Data Collective, the foundation is experimenting with “data dividends” and direct compensation models, giving communities control over datasets while maintaining ethical data use. Shilongo stressed that benefits need not be purely financial; communities could also gain insights and tools derived from their own data, transforming it from a corporate resource into a communal asset.
Experts also pointed to global examples to guide Africa’s approach. Oluwaseun Adepoju from Co-Creation Hub cited South Korea’s MyData framework, where licensed providers manage personal data cooperatively, allowing citizens to control and monetise their information. Adepoju suggested that Africa could adapt similar cooperative governance models, combining startups, academic institutions, and experimental compensation mechanisms to ensure that local communities retain ownership and receive tangible value from their data.
The stakes are particularly high for creative industries and cultural preservation. Artists and musicians risk losing control over their work as AI-generated content proliferates, while AI systems often embed cultural biases and discrimination. TechHerNG’s Chioma Agwuedo and NUBIA AI’s Seyi Olufemi emphasised the need for African-led AI development that reflects local languages, customs, and contexts, arguing that literacy, transparency, and local data centres are crucial for meaningful consent and governance.
Ultimately, community-owned and locally governed models present a practical path forward. By combining grassroots participation, cooperative frameworks, and culturally aware AI, African countries can reclaim digital sovereignty, protect creators, and safeguard cultural heritage. As Gabriel Odunsi of TechSocietal notes, transparency and accountability in platform design are key—allowing Africans to transform personal data into a shared resource rather than leaving it in the hands of foreign tech giants. Without local ownership, the continent risks repeating patterns of exploitation, but with cooperative governance and local AI innovation, Africa can ensure data serves its citizens.
source: techcabal