Amina Mohammed urges Africa on Tech threats

Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Amina Mohammed, has warned that Africa cannot afford to remain passive in the face of rapid technological change.

Speaking at the 2025 Africa Chiefs of Defence Staff Summit in Abuja on Monday, Mohammed said insurgent groups were exploiting new technologies, including improvised explosive devices, to destabilise the continent.

“Africa is at the epicentre of global terrorism. Insurgency groups are misusing technology to cause devastation. We cannot afford to be bystanders. Africa must take ownership, be proactive, and shape how these tools are used,” she said.

Mohammed, a former Nigerian environment minister, cautioned that technology was also being weaponised to spread hate and undermine democracy. She recalled how radio was once used to incite genocide, warning that social media now amplified hatred at frightening speed.

She stressed that artificial intelligence was transforming security — both as a threat and as a solution. She noted that AI was already helping conflict-hit countries by tracking food insecurity, predicting displacement from climate shocks, and detecting landmines. She added that the same tools could soon identify patterns of unrest before violence erupts, though they also carried profound risks.

Mohammed emphasised the need for regional cooperation across Africa. “When we act in isolation, we hand our adversaries their greatest advantage — our division. Defence collaboration is not simple, but African forces continue to find ways to act together,” she said.