Ndiho Media,LLC.

By Ndiho Media

The rise of artificial intelligence is sparking debates worldwide, and Africa is no exception. Governments, businesses, and citizens are asking whether AI should be regulated—and if so, how it should be regulated. For Gbenga Sesan, executive director of Paradigm Initiative in Lagos, the answer is clear: regulation is necessary, but it must not come from fear or ignorance.
“Regulation has always been a tool to create standards so that society can benefit from any new thing,” Sesan told Ndiho Media. “But you can never regulate something before it starts. If you regulate something before it starts, then you kill it.”
Across the continent, many governments have taken a reactionary approach to new technologies. Nigeria’s ban on cryptocurrency is one example. Citizens quickly found ways around it, and the government eventually introduced its own digital currency. Sesan argues that this approach shows a lack of understanding. “The people who are deploying emerging technologies are still learning. Regulators cannot just come in and ban something they don’t understand.”
Instead, he suggests a four-step process: first, ask what the technology is; second, ask how it benefits people and the economy; third, create standards that build trust instead of seeking control; and finally, provide ways for citizens to seek redress if harm occurs. “If something goes wrong, how do people seek redress? That’s how you build trust,” he said.

Governments often legislate out of fear, using regulations to silence opposition or control citizens. Sesan warns that this approach is dangerous. “Whatever standards you create now to punish others, when you lose elections, those tools will be turned against you. That’s the law of reciprocity.” He believes the solution is openness—public hearings, consultation with experts, and engaging stakeholders, including young people who are already driving innovation.
Africa’s youth are using technology to build startups, create jobs, and attract investment. “Young people are solving the unemployment problem of Africa by using new technology,” Sesan explained. “It’s high time governments listen to them and use regulation to support innovation instead of killing it.”
While fears about AI taking jobs are real, Sesan says history shows the benefits outweigh the losses. Typists lost their jobs when computers arrived, but new opportunities emerged for those who adapted to the latest technology. The same principle applies to AI. “It is true AI will end some jobs, but it will create new ones. The net gain is what matters. Governments must work with citizens to reskill and prepare for this future.”
From precision agriculture to telemedicine and digital classrooms, AI presents Africa with an opportunity to leapfrog into a new era. Sesan believes the continent must embrace this moment with wisdom. “This is a brilliant and bright future. We must learn, embrace, and adapt to change. Regulation should support innovation, not stifle it.”