Op-Ed: Africa’s tech must serve people
Ojo Emmanuel Ademola explores how a human-centred approach to tech can drive inclusive, ethical, and sustainable innovation across Africa
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Keypoints:
- Human-centred tech empowers inclusive growth
- Ethical innovation fosters trust and equity
- Culturally sensitive design boosts impact
‘HUMAN-CENTRED Technology: Shaping Africa’s Technological Future’ offers more than just a buzzword—it’s a vision. One that places the individual and the community at the heart of every innovation. In the African context, where diverse needs and systemic challenges coexist, this approach calls for technology that is not just smart, but fair, inclusive, and sustainable.
Unlike traditional tech development models that prioritise speed or scale, this human-first framework insists on grounding every innovation in the lived experiences, values, and aspirations of African people. It’s about crafting tools that heal, connect, empower—and do so ethically.
Ethical frameworks must guide innovation
Ethics aren’t an afterthought—they are foundational. As African countries advance in AI, fintech, e-health, and other fields, the question isn’t whether we can build something, but whether we should, and how.
Developing technologies that uphold privacy, transparency, and accountability will help reduce harm and build trust. A human-centred ethos helps guard against the unchecked consequences of rapid development—be it surveillance, data misuse, or algorithmic bias.
Inclusion unlocks true innovation
An inclusive technological future can only happen when every voice is heard. That includes youth, women, persons with disabilities, and marginalised communities. These groups must not only benefit from innovation—they must help drive it.
Participation fosters relevance. When solutions are co-created with diverse users, they become more accessible, effective, and equitable. Inclusion also tackles the digital divide by ensuring connectivity, affordability, and literacy reach the underserved.
Technology as a tool for transformation
True progress happens when tech improves lives at scale. In Africa, this translates into digital platforms connecting patients to doctors, mobile apps offering banking to the unbanked, and online classrooms reaching remote learners.
By aligning tech with healthcare, education, and financial inclusion, we move from convenience to impact. These interventions go beyond efficiency; they foster dignity, opportunity, and agency.
Community-driven ecosystems matter
Beyond products, human-centred innovation builds ecosystems. These are local networks of talent, mentorship, funding, and support—especially for start-ups and youth entrepreneurs. When nurtured, they birth home-grown solutions with deep cultural resonance.
Encouraging local participation in the tech economy helps communities shape their digital destiny. It also ensures that profits and progress stay within Africa, building resilience and self-reliance.
Sustainability must underpin all progress
Green technology isn’t optional. As the continent contends with climate change, tech must be developed with eco-design, energy efficiency, and resource stewardship in mind.
This means crafting solutions that reduce waste, use clean energy, and promote circular economies. From solar-powered health clinics to biodegradable devices, environmentally conscious tech can be a cornerstone of sustainable development.
Cultural sensitivity strengthens adoption
A key pillar of human-centred design in Africa is cultural sensitivity. Tech must reflect the beliefs, practices, and languages of those it serves. When developers respect local norms, adoption rates rise—and with them, impact.
Solutions that resonate with users’ identities do more than solve problems—they empower communities and affirm their place in the digital age.
A call to action: Place people at the centre
The future of African tech depends on intentionality. By placing people at the core of innovation, we can move from disruption to transformation. This means listening before designing, including before launching, and measuring success by lives improved—not just lines of code.
Stakeholders—from developers and governments to investors and educators—must adopt a collaborative, ethical, and inclusive mindset. Only then can technology realise its promise as a tool for liberation rather than exclusion.
Building Africa’s resilient digital future
Africa stands on the edge of a digital renaissance. But the question is not whether the continent will innovate—it’s how. By championing human-centred approaches, Africa can craft technologies that honour its people, protect its environment, and unlock collective prosperity.
The continent doesn’t need to follow global tech trends—it can lead by example. And that example is one where technology, in all its power and potential, is a servant of society—not the other way around.
