Meta’s newly launched Muse Image platform, which allows AI-generated images to incorporate publicly available Instagram profile photographs, has ignited global concerns about consent, identity, data ownership and digital rights. Critics argue millions of users may not understand their publicly visible images can become raw material for AI-generated content. For Africa, this debate touches AI sovereignty, economic independence, cultural preservation and the future of work. The central question is who owns the data powering artificial intelligence. If African data is harvested and monetised outside the continent without equitable value creation, a new form of digital colonialism will emerge. According to GSMA, mobile technologies contributed approximately 240 billion US dollars to Africa’s economy in 2025, representing 7.8 per cent of GDP, while supporting about 13 million jobs. GSMA also reports around 80 per cent of Africa’s population had access to mobile internet coverage in 2025, creating an enormous stream of digital data. Yet the greatest economic value from African-generated data is still largely captured outside Africa. Nigeria’s recent engagements include the FCCPC’s strategic consultations under the leadership of its Executive Vice Chairman, Mr. Tunji Bello, and the affirmative support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.