AI Securitisation and Youth Criminality in Africa: Comparative Frameworks, Ethical Risks, and Governance Responses

Abstract

This article critically examines the securitisation of artificial intelligence (AI) and youth crime in Africa through a comparative, interdisciplinary lens. Using securitisation theory, the article explores how AI technologies and youth behaviour are increasingly portrayed as existential security threats, thereby justifying extraordinary policy actions. In the case of AI, the global conversation, especially as seen in China’s use of AI surveillance in Xinjiang, shows how governments deploy advanced technologies under the guise of national security, often at the cost of privacy and civil liberties. At the same time, in regions like Nigeria, youth crime is depicted not just as a social or developmental issue but as a threat to state stability, especially concerning terrorist groups like Boko Haram. This perspective has resulted in militarised and punitive responses, such as mass detention and marginalisation of young people. Through a comparative analysis of the securitisation logic in both areas, the article highlights shared risks, including human rights abuses, discriminatory enforcement, and social exclusion. The study argues that although security concerns are valid, excessive reliance on securitisation shifts focus away from investing in structural and developmental solutions. The article concludes with policy recommendations that promote ethical AI governance, rights-based youth justice reforms, and increased attention to the root causes of insecurity, including poverty, exclusion, and poor governance. Ultimately, the article calls for a shift in security frameworks to incorporate principles of social justice, inclusivity, and human dignity.