On August 1, 2024, Nigeria launched its Draft National AI Strategy, marking a significant step towards harnessing AI for economic diversification and sustainable development. The strategy aims to position Nigeria as a leader in AI innovation in Africa by engaging global AI researchers of Nigerian descent, empowering government and private entities to adopt AI technologies, and ensuring inclusive AI adoption across all segments of society. The initiative focuses on bridging language barriers, fostering AI education, and creating a conducive environment for AI-driven entrepreneurship. With this strategy, Nigeria is poised to become a prominent hub for AI solutions in Africa.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming industries and services globally, promising to significantly boost economic growth and social progress. By 2030, AI could contribute up to $15.7 trillion to the global economy, with $3 trillion from increased productivity and $9.1 trillion from new products and services, according to PwC. In Africa, the International Finance Corporation projects that AI could add up to $234 billion to the continent’s GDP by 2030. Nigeria, with its fast-growing tech ecosystem and proactive leadership, is well-positioned to leverage AI for economic diversification and inclusive growth. This potential has prompted Nigeria to launch its National AI Strategy, aiming to harness AI for sustainable development and position the country as a leader in AI innovation on the African continent.
The Importance of a National AI Strategy
As AI is deployed in high-stakes domains like healthcare, finance, and security, it brings both opportunities and challenges. Concerns around ethics, bias, transparency, job automation, and privacy are growing. Policymakers and researchers agree that a human-centered approach is essential to ensure AI systems are fair and accountable to all, across gender, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups. Nigeria’s National AI Strategy aims to responsibly steer the AI revolution towards achieving national goals around job creation, social inclusion, and sustainable development.
Engaging Global AI Researchers of Nigerian Descent
Building on the work done by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Nigeria is expanding its co-creation approach to engage top AI researchers of Nigerian descent globally. Using data from Lens, the same source used by McKinsey for their technology trends outlook, researchers identified top AI publications by authors affiliated with Nigerian institutions and globally. This comprehensive approach ensures that the strategy benefits from the expertise of Nigerian AI researchers worldwide, regardless of their location.
Accelerating AI Adoption
Nigeria’s proactive approach to AI development involves empowering both government and private entities to leverage AI technologies. The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani emphasizes that completing the National AI Strategy will position Nigeria as a pioneering hub for AI solutions in Africa. Orji Udezue, Partner at Accelerate Africa, highlights the importance of this development. “The accelerated pace of AI innovation globally has prompted governments and private sectors to invest heavily in AI infrastructure and talent,” Udezue notes. “With AI poised to revolutionize various industries, including warfare, Nigeria’s proactive approach to AI development underscores the country’s commitment to staying ahead of the curve.”
Inclusive and Ethical AI Innovation
Nigeria’s AI strategy focuses on bridging language barriers and ensuring inclusive AI adoption across all segments of society. Innovative companies like C-Dial.AI are leveraging AI to enable seamless verbal and text translations in local languages. This inclusive approach ensures that all segments of society benefit from technological advancements, mitigating the risk of widening the digital divide. Udezue emphasizes that Nigeria’s AI strategy is not only about government intervention but also about empowering private enterprises to drive innovation. “The potential for Nigeria to capitalize on AI lies in its ability to leapfrog outdated technologies and embrace cutting-edge AI solutions,” Udezue explains.
Fostering AI Education and Innovation
Equipping young Nigerians with AI skills and fostering a conducive environment for AI education is crucial. Educational institutions must embrace AI and equip students with the necessary skills to thrive in an AI-driven world. Workshops and training programs focusing on AI development are essential to accelerate human capital growth in AI and ensure that Nigeria remains competitive globally. Udezue advocates for the establishment of a sandbox environment where AI ideas can be tested and refined before wider implementation. “Grassroots innovation driven by clear national policies and incentives will be the true catalyst for AI progress in Nigeria,” he asserts.
Conclusion
Nigeria’s National AI Strategy represents a significant step towards harnessing the transformative potential of AI for the country’s sustainable development. By fostering a culture of innovation and providing strategic support for AI initiatives, Nigeria aims to become a leading AI hub in Africa. The concerted efforts of the government, private sector, and educational institutions will be crucial in driving AI adoption and shaping Nigeria’s AI landscape for the future.
References:
- https://fmcide.gov.ng/initiative/nais/
- https://ncair.nitda.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/National-AI-Strategy_01082024-copy.pdf
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/co-creating-national-artificial-intelligence-strategy-tijani/
- https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7225119615532576768/