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Scholars, researchers, policymakers and digital governance experts have called for Africa to take greater control of its digital future through human-centred artificial intelligence (AI), stronger data governance, and the preservation of indigenous knowledge systems.
The call was made during discussions on “Our Digital Lives and Indigenous Pathways,” the second volume of the anthology “Living Sustainably Here: African Perspectives on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”, at the 2026 Lagos Studies Association Conference held at Trinity University, Yaba, Lagos.
The sessions, which formed part of the conference programme, brought together contributors, academics, librarians and sustainability advocates to examine how African societies can harness emerging technologies while safeguarding cultural heritage, indigenous languages and local knowledge systems.
Participants argued that as Africans increasingly live, work, learn and interact within digital environments, the continent must ensure that technological advancement supports sustainable development without undermining cultural identity, environmental stewardship and community values.
Founder and curator of the anthology series, Olatoun Gabi-Williams, stressed the importance of ensuring that AI development remains both people-focused and environmentally responsible.
“AI must be human-friendly and planet-centred. It must support civilisation and not become an impediment to the advancement of people and the planet,” she said.
Gabi-Williams warned against treating African data as a free resource for foreign interests, urging governments across the continent to move beyond policy declarations and implement practical measures that strengthen data sovereignty and technological independence.
She also expressed concern about the impact of unregulated AI systems on younger generations and vulnerable populations, stressing the need for safeguards that protect children and communities from potential harms associated with emerging technologies.
According to her, the anthology acknowledges the opportunities presented by AI but places equal emphasis on identifying risks and developing adequate protections.
The sustainability advocate further highlighted the significance of preserving indigenous languages during the United Nations Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022–2032), noting that growing global interest in African languages requires careful consideration.
She argued that African governments should invest in the development of African-owned and African-built AI systems capable of preserving local languages and ensuring that communities retain control over how their linguistic heritage is documented and used in digital spaces.
While expressing optimism about the future of indigenous languages, Gabi-Williams pointed to bilingual education and existing policies that encourage indigenous language learning as important tools for preserving African identity amid rapid digital transformation.
The conference also explored broader concerns surrounding technological sovereignty, data ownership and the preservation of African cultural heritage in an era increasingly shaped by foreign-controlled digital platforms and infrastructure.
Participants noted that sustainability should not be viewed solely through policy frameworks but also through everyday practices embedded in homes, schools, libraries, archives, communities and digital spaces across the continent.
Historian and researcher Pelumi Olatunji argued that artificial intelligence is only as effective as the knowledge and information that feed it, making the preservation of indigenous knowledge systems a strategic necessity.
He cautioned against allowing technological advancement to eclipse traditional knowledge systems, insisting that both should evolve alongside one another.
Olatunji observed that many young Africans, particularly members of Generation Z and Generation Alpha, are becoming increasingly disconnected from indigenous pathways and historical innovations that once shaped African societies.
He advocated the use of digital technologies to document Africa’s cultural, industrial and intellectual heritage for future generations.
Drawing parallels with countries that tailor digital platforms and technologies to reflect national priorities, Olatunji urged African governments to become more deliberate in shaping policies and regulations that protect the continent’s interests.
In his contribution titled “Indigenous Pathways to Realising SDG 9: How African Knowledge Can Build Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure”, he challenged prevailing narratives that often overlook Africa’s rich history of engineering, architecture and innovation.
According to him, indigenous knowledge systems offer valuable lessons for addressing modern development challenges, particularly in climate-responsive architecture and sustainable infrastructure development.
Also speaking, Abdulazeez Shomade, a postgraduate scholar at the Centre for Sustainable Development, University of Ibadan, described AI as a powerful tool for advancing climate action, urban planning and environmental conservation.
Drawing from his essay, “Chasing the Last Butterfly: Indigenous Knowledge and the Future of Sustainable Cities in Nigeria,” Shomade highlighted the relevance of Yoruba ecological knowledge to contemporary urban development and sustainability planning.
He said technologies such as geographic information systems and digital modelling tools could help planners protect ecological buffers and communities whose livelihoods depend on agriculture and natural resources.
However, Shomade raised concerns about what he described as “epistemic injustice” — the marginalisation of indigenous ways of knowing within policy and development processes.
He also pointed to the limited availability of datasets for African indigenous languages, noting that many AI-powered translation systems continue to produce inaccurate interpretations.
The conference featured contributions from scholars across the continent, including Zambian librarian Mutina Mweemba Nabuyanda, whose essay examined youth engagement in preserving Zambian culinary heritage as a means of safeguarding cultural memory and strengthening intergenerational knowledge transfer.
Another contribution by Gabi-Williams, “In Memoriam: Ngugi Wa Thiong’o & Henry Chakava – Decolonizing Africa’s Literary Trail,” reflected on the legacy of the late Kenyan literary icon and publisher in advancing African-language publishing and intellectual independence.
The essay linked historical struggles for linguistic and cultural autonomy with contemporary debates surrounding artificial intelligence, digital ownership and Africa’s control over its cultural archives and data resources.
Panelists also examined ethical questions surrounding the digitisation of sacred and communal knowledge, warning against what some described as emerging forms of “digital colonialism” driven by foreign-controlled algorithms, data systems and online platforms.
As discussions concluded, participants reflected on the role of writers, researchers, artists, librarians and knowledge custodians in preserving collective memory and advancing sustainable development.
They expressed optimism that a balance between technological innovation and indigenous wisdom could help shape a more inclusive, sustainable and self-determined future for Africa, in line with the aspirations of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
