African governments urged to put people at the centre of AI reforms

African governments and policymakers have been urged to place human behaviour at the heart of artificial intelligence strategies, as technology-driven reforms that overlook behavioural and socio-cultural realities risk widening inequality across the continent.

The call was made by technology expert and Africa AI Transformations Coach, Adeoye Abodunrin, during a media briefing in Lagos, where he stressed that Africa’s AI future must be shaped by more than advanced algorithms and digital infrastructure.

According to Abodunrin, governments need to integrate insights from behavioural economics into AI policy design to ensure adoption, trust and real-world impact.

“AI will only deliver inclusive growth in Africa if we design systems that understand how Africans think, decide, trust and adapt,” he said. “Without behavioural economics, AI strategies may look strong on paper but fail at the point of implementation that matters most.”

He noted that many AI initiatives across the continent remain heavily focused on acquiring technology, while paying insufficient attention to the behavioural incentives that drive usage, productivity and public confidence in digital systems.

Abodunrin explained that behavioural economics offers practical tools for designing AI-enabled policies that reflect everyday African realities, with applications spanning digital identity, financial inclusion, healthcare delivery, education, taxation and public service reform.

“Africa does not lack ideas or talent,” he said. “What is often missing is alignment—aligning technology with behaviour, culture and incentives. Behavioural intelligence is what transforms AI from a shiny tool into a true development engine.”

He also pointed to Nigeria’s growing role in global AI adoption, noting that usage trends show the technology is increasingly embedded in learning, work, entrepreneurship and day-to-day problem-solving.

“AI holds enormous promise for Africa, but we cannot prioritise infrastructure and algorithms while ignoring the human behaviour that determines how these systems are used and trusted,” Abodunrin added. “In the AI era, behavioural insight is not optional; it is fundamental to inclusive growth, innovation and meaningful social impact.”