As governments and civil society across Africa grapple with security threats, human trafficking, and modern slavery, technology is increasingly being examined as part of the response. One Nigerian software engineer, Ayotunde Peter Somoye, has been working at the intersection of artificial intelligence, large-scale systems, and social-impact technology, applying lessons from commercial software development to security and human rights challenges.
Somoye, a full-stack software engineer with over six years of professional experience, has led and contributed to technology projects operating across multiple countries and industries. His work spans AI-powered systems, large-scale data platforms, and cloud-based infrastructure used by thousands to millions of users globally.
In recent years, Somoye has focused part of his technical research and development efforts on how machine learning, data analytics, and automation can be adapted to address complex security problems in Africa, including early-warning systems for insurgency-related risks and digital tools aimed at detecting patterns linked to human trafficking and labour exploitation.
From Commercial AI Systems to Security Applications
Somoye’s background is rooted in building high-impact production systems. At Whitelabel, he was involved in designing and implementing an AI-powered chatbot for Air France that processes over 5,000 customer inquiries daily, reducing manual intervention by more than 90 percent and improving response accuracy through machine learning optimisation.
At Wiremoney, where he served as Engineering Lead, he oversaw the scaling of a cross-border financial platform into 13 countries, growing the user base by over 200 percent and contributing to significant revenue growth. The role required managing distributed engineering teams, designing resilient systems, and handling large volumes of sensitive transactional data — experience that Somoye argues is directly transferable to security and human rights technology.
“Systems built to detect fraud, manage financial risk, or automate customer intelligence rely on the same core principles as those used in security analytics,” Somoye has written in recent technical papers. “The difference is the context and the ethical framework guiding their deployment.”
Technology, Human Trafficking, and Modern Slavery
In his research work, Somoye has explored how artificial intelligence can support compliance with modern anti-slavery frameworks, including legislation similar to the UK Modern Slavery Act. His research proposes the use of machine learning models to analyse recruitment data, employment records, and supply-chain information to identify patterns associated with forced labour and trafficking.
He has also examined the role of blockchain-based systems in improving supply-chain transparency for industries such as agriculture and manufacturing — sectors where African exporters are increasingly required to demonstrate ethical labour practices to international partners.
According to Somoye, technology alone cannot solve these issues, but it can strengthen oversight. “AI systems can help flag anomalies at scale, allowing human investigators, NGOs, and regulators to act earlier and more effectively,” he notes in his published work.
Applied Research and Practical Systems
Beyond research, Somoye has contributed to building real-world platforms with social impact. While working as a senior engineer at Turing, he helped develop ArrayNow, a platform used by more than one million workers in the global entertainment industry to access employment opportunities. The platform serves as an example of how digital systems can improve transparency and access to legitimate work — a factor often cited by anti-trafficking organisations as key to reducing vulnerability to exploitation.
In parallel, Somoye has published technical articles and research papers examining AI ethics, data governance, and the risks of algorithmic bias when deploying surveillance or predictive systems in fragile contexts. His work stresses the importance of privacy, accountability, and human oversight in any security-related technology.
Leadership Beyond Employment
Somoye’s influence extends beyond his professional roles. He has mentored dozens of software developers across Africa through structured programmes, helping engineers transition into professional roles and adopt industry best practices. Several of the platforms he advised or helped architect have scaled to tens of thousands of users within months of launch.
Industry observers note that engineers with experience building globally deployed systems are increasingly shaping discussions around Africa’s digital security future. Somoye’s work reflects a broader trend of African technologists applying commercial AI and data engineering expertise to public-interest challenges.
As governments and organisations continue to explore technology-led approaches to security and human rights, practitioners like Somoye represent a growing class of engineers whose influence lies not only in code, but in shaping how advanced technologies are responsibly applied in high-stakes environments.