African First Ladies meeting in Nairobi on Wednesday urged governments, technology firms and parents to work together to protect children from growing dangers online, warning that rapid advances in artificial intelligence and digital technology are exposing young people to new risks.
The appeal came during a high-level session on child safety held alongside the Africa Forward Summit in Kenyatta International Convention Centre, where leaders argued that Africa’s digital expansion must be matched with stronger protections for children.
Leading the discussions, Kenya’s First Lady Rachel Ruto said technology had reshaped modern life and opened doors for millions of young Africans, but warned that progress without safeguards could leave children vulnerable.
“The same digital world that can unlock a child’s future can also place it at risk,” Mrs Ruto told delegates. “What we are building is not just infrastructure; we are shaping the environment in which our children will grow, learn and become.” Her remarks reflected wider concern among African leaders over children’s exposure to harmful online content, cyber-bullying and exploitation as internet access spreads rapidly across the continent.
Kenya has positioned itself as one of Africa’s leading digital economies under President William Ruto, expanding internet access and backing innovation in sectors ranging from finance to artificial intelligence. But officials at the summit acknowledged that regulation and online safety measures have struggled to keep pace with technological change.
Among those attending the meeting were Lauriane Darboux épouse Doumbouya of Guinea, Marisoa Elisa Berthine of Madagascar, Philile Dlamini of Eswatini and Neema Ngure Nchemba, wife of Tanzania’s Prime Minister.
Lauriane Darboux said Africa’s youthful population made online child protection a pressing issue for the continent’s future, calling for internationally recognised standards to strengthen digital safety.
Former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf praised Kenya’s record in digital innovation, pointing to the global rise of M-Pesa as proof that African-led technology can shape global trends.
“It is good to see Kenya once again leading the charge,” Sirleaf said. “M-Pesa began in a small way, reaching rural communities and transforming digital financial transactions, and today its impact is felt globally.”
Philile Dlamini of Eswatini warned that children remained increasingly exposed to harmful material online, saying governments and communities must remain alert. “Vigilance is needed to ensure children are protected from harmful content online,” she said.
Neema Ngure Nchemba said governments also had a duty to ensure children access age-appropriate content while preserving cultural values and social norms. She noted that Tanzania had introduced laws aimed at protecting young people in digital spaces.
The summit comes as African countries face mounting pressure to balance digital growth with regulation, particularly as artificial intelligence becomes more embedded in education, entertainment and social media platforms used by children every day.
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