Future of Work, Youth & AI: BBC Town Hall (UNGA80 | Focus on Africa)

This week at UNGA80, I had the privilege of joining the BBC Town Hall alongside Assistant Secretary-General Ahunna Eziakonwa (UNDP), ministers of digital transformation from Nigeria and Morocco, and fellow innovators to explore the future of work in Africa in the age of AI.

I was privileged to speak alongside seniors I deeply respect and look up to:

• Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni (PhD): Morocco’s Minister Delegate for Digital Transition and Administrative Reform, and a world-renowned AI and multi-agent systems expert. Former Sorbonne University professor, she advocates for ethical, inclusive technology governance.
• Ahunna Eziakonwa: Assistant Secretary-General and Director of UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Africa. A seasoned UN leader, she champions Africa’s development, inclusive growth, and the empowerment of young professionals through initiatives such as the UNDP Graduate Programme.
• Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani: Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy. Before his 2023 ministerial appointment, he co-founded Co-Creation Hub (CcHUB), a powerhouse in Africa’s tech ecosystem. He holds a PhD in innovation and economic development.

The conversation was moderated by Waihiga Mwaura: A prominent Kenyan journalist and presenter for BBC Africa’s Focus on Africa – an award-winning storyteller, formerly of Citizen TV Kenya, Waihiga is celebrated for incisive journalism that humanizes complex issues; and it was produced by Priscilla Ngethe – a seasoned broadcast journalist and producer with the BBC World Service, currently leading editorial production for BBC Africa’s flagship program Focus on Africa. She specializes in convening high-impact conversations on global development, technology, and social change, bringing African voices to the center of international dialogue.

The Future of Work (in Light of AI)

I spoke about several things I believe Africa must urgently confront, and this was was echoed by my fellow panelists:

1️⃣ Decolonizing our systems — We are still operating with education models designed to produce colonial clerks, not creators. We must break free from inherited structures that keep us waiting for others to build systems for us.
2️⃣ Becoming creators of AI, not just consumers — We cannot afford to only use tools built elsewhere; we must shape and own the technologies defining our future.
3️⃣ Reframing job loss as an opportunity — The collapse of traditional jobs can be a good thing for Africa. It gives us room to build anew and create work that fits our context.
4️⃣ Understanding before regulating — Regulation is important, but rushing to regulate what we do not understand will stifle opportunity. Let us first learn, innovate, then shape smart governance.
5️⃣ Powering Africa’s AI future with energy — Without reliable and scalable energy, our AI ambitions will remain just talk.
6️⃣ Financing African entrepreneurs and creators — We must invest in African talent, founders, and builders if we want to lead this transformation from within.

Broadcast

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