Rachel Ruto leads call for child digital safety in Africa

First Lady Rachel Ruto speaking during a High-Level Side Event on Building Safer Digital Spaces for Children in Africa held on the sidelines of the ongoing Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi on May 12, 2026/ PCS

First Lady Rachel Ruto on Tuesday led African leaders in calling for stronger protections for children in digital spaces as governments across the continent accelerate digital transformation and artificial intelligence adoption.

Speaking during a High-Level Side Event on Building Safer Digital Spaces for Children in Africa held on the sidelines of the ongoing Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, the First Lady said Africa must ensure technological progress does not come at the expense of children’s safety and well-being.

The meeting brought together First Ladies, spouses of Heads of Government, policymakers and international stakeholders to discuss emerging risks facing children online, including harmful content, cyber exploitation, online abuse and the impact of artificial intelligence on young users.

Ruto said Africa’s rapid digital growth presents enormous opportunities for education, innovation and economic transformation, but warned that children remain increasingly vulnerable in the evolving digital environment.

“The world has truly become a global village. But with that transformation comes a new responsibility. The same digital world that can unlock a child’s future can also place it at risk,” she said.

The First Lady noted that Kenya continues to position itself as one of Africa’s leading digital economies through investments in innovation, digital infrastructure and technology-driven services under President William Ruto’s administration.

“Progress must never outpace protection. What we are building is not just infrastructure; we are shaping the environment in which our children will grow, learn, and become,” she added.

The leaders called for a whole-of-society approach involving governments, technology firms, educators, parents and communities to strengthen online safety for children.

They stressed the need for improved digital literacy, stronger online regulations, child-friendly technology policies and safeguards against harmful online content.

Among the leaders present were Guinea’s First Lady, Lauriane Darboux épouse Doumbouya, Madagascar’s First Lady Marisoa Elisa Berthine, Eswatini’s First Lady Philile Dlamini and Neema Ngure Nchemba, spouse to Tanzania’s Prime Minister.

Doumbouya said Africa’s youthful population makes the protection of children online an urgent continental responsibility as more young people gain access to smartphones, digital platforms and artificial intelligence tools.

She also praised Kenya’s leadership in digital innovation, citing the global success of M-Pesa as an example of African technology transforming lives beyond the continent.

“It is good to see Kenya once again leading the charge. M-Pesa began in a small way, reaching rural communities and transforming digital financial transactions, and today its impact is felt globally,” she said.

Eswatini’s First Lady, Philile Dlamini, urged governments and families to remain vigilant against harmful online content that could negatively influence children.

“Vigilance is needed to ensure children are protected from harmful content online,” she said.

Neema Ngure Nchemba said African governments must ensure children access safe, age-appropriate and culturally sensitive digital content.

She noted that Tanzania has already enacted laws aimed at protecting young people in online spaces.

“Governments have a responsibility to ensure children access positive and age-appropriate content while also ensuring technology respects cultural values and societal norms,” she said.

The discussions come at a time when African countries are increasingly embracing digital services, e-learning, fintech platforms and AI-driven technologies as part of broader economic transformation strategies.

However, experts have also raised concerns over cyberbullying, online exploitation, misinformation, privacy breaches and exposure to inappropriate content affecting children and teenagers using digital platforms.

The Africa Forward Summit, co-hosted by Kenya and France, has brought together Heads of State, policymakers, business leaders and development partners to discuss trade, innovation, climate action and Africa’s future development priorities.

The child online safety discussions formed part of broader conversations around responsible technology adoption and inclusive digital growth across the continent.