Expert urges on behavioural economics

A technology expert, Adeoye Abodunrin, has urged President Bola Tinubu and other African leaders, policymakers and institutions to deliberately integrate behavioural economics insights into artificial intelligence (AI) strategies.

He warned that technology-driven reforms without human-centred design risked deepening inequality across the continent.

The Africa AI transformations coach and thought leader,  stressed that Africa’s AI future must be shaped not only by advanced algorithms and infrastructure, but by a deep understanding of human behaviour, decision-making and socio-cultural realities.

“AI will only deliver inclusive growth in Africa if we design systems that understand how Africans think, decide, trust and adapt.”

Without behavioural economics, AI policies may look impressive on paper but fail at the level that matters most, people,” he said.

Abodunrin, in his maiden interaction with the ICT press community in Lagos at the weekend, said many AI strategies across the continent focus heavily on technology acquisition while overlooking behavioural incentives that influence adoption, productivity and trust in public systems.

According to him, behavioural economics provides governments with critical tools to design AI-enabled policies that work in real African contexts, from digital identity systems and financial inclusion platforms to healthcare delivery, education, taxation and public service reform.

 “Africa does not suffer from a lack of ideas or talent. What we often miss is alignment, aligning technology with behaviour, culture and incentives. Behavioural intelligence is what turns AI from a shiny tool into a development engine,” he argued.

Drawing on recent data from the Google & Ipsos “Our Life with AI: Helpfulness in the Hands of More People” report, Abodunrin said Nigeria is emerging as a global leader in AI adoption, with usage patterns that point to the technology’s rapid integration into learning, work, entrepreneurship and everyday problem-solving.

 “AI holds immense potential for Africa, but we cannot prioritise infrastructure and algorithms while ignoring the human behaviour that determines how these technologies are used, trusted and trusted by citizens. In the AI era, behavioural insight is not optional, it is fundamental to inclusive growth, innovation and social impact,” Abodunrin said.

According to the report, 93per cent of Nigerians use AI tools to learn and understand complex topics, significantly above the global average of 74per cent; 88per cent of Nigerian adults have used an AI chatbot – far ahead of the global average of 62per cent, demonstrating deep integration of AI into daily life; and 91per cent of Nigerians use AI to assist with their work, while 80per cent leverage AI to explore new business ideas or career transitions – nearly double the global average (42per cent).

Other highlights of the report showed that   91per cent believe AI is positively impacting learning and access to information, with 95per cent saying students and educators are likely to benefit; and 80per cent express excitement about AI’s possibilities, compared with a global average far lower, illustrating strong optimism and agency in technology adoption.

 “These figures show that Nigerians, especially young learners, professionals and entrepreneurs, are not only adopting AI at scale but using it purposefully for growth and opportunity,” Abodunrin noted.

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Abodunrin explained that while adoption figures are impressive, they also underscore the need for governments and institutions to design policies that align AI tools with social realities, such as trust, incentives, cultural norms and decision-making patterns unique to African contexts.

 “Behavioural economics helps us understand how people actually interact with AI systems, what motivates adoption, and how policies shape outcomes across diverse communities. Without these insights, AI strategies risk leaving behind the very people they aim to empower,” he said.

He urged leaders to integrate behavioural frameworks into AI governance, regulatory design, public services and education initiatives to promote inclusive innovation and equitable access to digital opportunities across demographics.

Abodunrin’s calls are coming at a pivotal moment when Nigeria and other African nations are experiencing rapid growth in digital technology usage and are poised to shape the future of innovation on the continent.

He encouraged policymakers to embed behavioural science principles into AI policy formulation; invest in capacity building and AI literacy at all levels; ensure AI governance frameworks reflect ethical, cultural and human values, and support locally-relevant AI solutions that address real-world challenges.

He said: “AI should amplify African strengths, not widen global divides. When behavioural economics informs AI strategy, we unlock not just smarter technology but smarter societies.”