Toyin Akinyi has dedicated her career to addressing critical issues at the intersection of journalism, civic engagement, and technology governance. As the Regional Portfolio Director for Africa at Luminate Group, she supports organizations striving to leverage technology as a force for good. Akinyi argues that the challenge lies not in flawed technology or inadequate funding but rather in the failure of technology developers, civil society, policymakers, and funders to engage in meaningful dialogue. With time running out, her mission has never been more urgent.
Connecting Stories to Systems
Akinyi describes her professional journey as an exploration of how storytelling and information shape societal structures. She began her civic engagement work in 2005, focusing on providing ICT training to underserved communities and teaching literature at the Polytechnic University. Following this, she spent nearly seven years enhancing investigative journalism in Nigeria while bolstering natural resource governance across Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, and Uganda.
“I became deeply involved in social justice and accountability initiatives, supporting movements aimed at not only narrating stories but also transforming the underlying systems,” she states. “The focus was always on systematic change, regardless of the sector.”
Luminate Group weaves together these themes. Established in 2018 by eBay founders Pierre and Pam Omidyar, Luminate aims to empower underrepresented groups by enhancing their access to information and rights, thus enabling them to influence decisions that shape society. Operating across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, the foundation funds organizations that facilitate civic engagement, encourage safe challenges to authority, and provide access to trustworthy information.
In Africa, particularly in Nigeria and Kenya, Luminate nurtures a diverse ecosystem of organizations. From SERAP, which employs strategic litigation to hold governments accountable, to BudgIT, which offers budget data transparency, Luminate backs groups focused on digital rights, data protection, and AI governance. Instead of merely funding isolated organizations, Luminate is forming a collaborative network of civil society, media, researchers, and advocates, all dedicated to ensuring that technology supports democracy rather than undermines it.
“I now work at the crossroads of all the themes that have defined my journey: technology, governance, social justice, human rights, and accountability,” Akinyi explains.
Challenges of Business Models
Akinyi emphasizes that she does not believe technology was created to inflict harm. “The intention behind many technologies was never malicious,” she states. “However, the dominant business models prioritize profits over election integrity, democratic strength, and the welfare of children using social media.”
The consequences of these choices are tragically evident. Increased rates of suicide among children, a mental health crisis, weakened elections, and monitoring of journalists and human rights defenders by technologies intended for protection are alarming trends.
“We’re witnessing a surge in mental health issues, and it underscores the need for accountability in governance,” Akinyi asserts. At Luminate, she champions funding a collaborative ecosystem that addresses technology governance from multiple perspectives. “To me, the term ‘ecosystem’ harks back to biology—it’s not just one type of organism; it’s a complex network of parties tackling these issues from storytelling, advocacy, research, and various other domains,” she elaborates.
Akinyi points out the importance of strategic litigation to hold technology firms accountable, while also showcasing the power of storytelling and research to document damages and promote human-centered laws. A particular milestone she highlights came in December 2023, when the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) fined Meta $220 million for non-compliance with Nigeria’s Consumer Data Protection Act. This ruling aimed to curtail the exploitation of Nigerian consumers and ensure respect for their rights.
Embracing Local Technology
Akinyi also addresses a critical issue facing Africa: the continent’s passive acceptance of technologies rather than active development of its own. “When technology speaks, it should reflect an African accent,” she asserts, emphasizing the need for solutions crafted by local innovators to address specific regional challenges.
This shift is already underway. From Nigeria and Kenya to Rwanda and South Africa, tech builders are creating solutions tailored to local realities, with emerging conversations around large-scale language models reflecting African contexts. In a significant move, Luminate recently provided $1.5 million in funding to a new AI collective in Nigeria, aiming to strengthen connections among research, innovation, and governance in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
Akinyi expresses her hopes for fostering more collaboration across borders and sectors. “I envision a future where Nigerian innovators are in dialogue with their Kenyan and Rwandan counterparts. Our objectives align,” she emphasizes.
Redefining Success in Technology Governance
Success for Luminate is not measured solely by revenue or user growth. “It may manifest as a defense of laws prioritizing people’s rights,” Akinyi explains. “Increased access to information and shifts in technology usage contribute to improved governance and innovative solutions that genuinely enhance human well-being.”
Creating such an environment requires the collective engagement of policymakers, governments, technology developers, and civil society. “This isn’t merely a legal issue; it’s also about enforcement,” she adds, referring to the significance of regulatory frameworks that impose necessary restrictions on tech companies.
For Akinyi, the core motivation is clear: “Access is power.” She emphasizes that reliable access to information magnifies this power, fostering communities better equipped to participate in democratic processes. Her vision extends beyond individual achievements; she aims for a more interconnected ecosystem free from silos. “Ultimately, we need collaboration and a shared understanding of the issues at hand,” she asserts.
Akinyi envisions a future where all stakeholders in technology—from developers and civil society to policymakers and users—convene in shared spaces, contributing equally to discussions. “If we can create such forums, we’ve made significant progress.” However, she cautions that the current governance infrastructure for technology in Africa remains inadequate, as cooperation among builders and civil society is still lacking.
Yet, she remains hopeful that open dialogue can bridge these gaps. “In a continent like ours, where we are perpetually catching up with technological advancements, we must unite. The entire ecosystem—governments, funders, developers, and civil society—must collaborate to establish essential safeguards.”
“Generations to come should inherit technology that is beneficial rather than harmful. Just as vehicles need brakes to ensure safety, these safeguards must be built in from the outset,” Akinyi concludes. With Africa poised to represent 25% of the world’s workforce in the near future, the urgency to cultivate collaborative efforts in technology governance has never been more pressing. The vision Akinyi paints—where all stakeholders engage freely—is not merely an aspiration; it is an imperative for a sustainable future.
