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 to intensify attacks, stressing the need for the continent to be proactive.

“Africa is at the epicentre of global terrorism. In this new era of technology, where it should be advancing as a human endeavour, these insurgency groups are using new technologies and improvised explosive devices to wreak havoc. We cannot afford to be bystanders. Africa must take ownership, must be proactive, and shape how these tools will be used,” she said.

She warned that technology was also being misused to spread hate, undermine democracy, and manipulate elections, drawing parallels with historical cases where communication tools were weaponised to fuel violence.

While acknowledging the risks, Mohammed pointed to opportunities, noting that artificial intelligence was already being deployed in conflict zones to predict displacement, address food insecurity, and detect landmines. She added that AI could soon help identify patterns of unrest before violence erupts.

The UN Deputy Secretary-General also underscored the importance of regional cooperation, stressing that Africa’s greatest strength lay in unity.

“When we act in isolation, we hand our adversaries their greatest advantage, our division. Regional cooperation is the linchpin of Africa’s security and defence,” she said.