Nigeria Aims to Lead Africa’s AI Revolution, Partners with Google for Digital Transformation

President Bola Tinubu has expressed his vision for Nigeria to become the leader in artificial intelligence (AI) innovation across Africa. During a recent meeting with Google CEO Sundar Pichai in Paris, Tinubu revealed plans to collaborate with Google to boost Nigeria’s role in AI and digital innovation. He emphasized that Nigeria is on the brink of an exciting journey to lead AI development in the region.

The discussions with Google focused on five key areas of collaboration: scaling cloud infrastructure, upskilling the workforce for future needs, advancing AI research and innovation, driving cloud adoption, and positioning Nigeria as a central hub for AI and innovation on the global stage. Tinubu also noted Nigeria’s existing progress in AI, mentioning partnerships with local companies like Awarri Technologies that are working to develop AI software infrastructure for the Nigerian market.

Tinubu’s vision aligns with his government’s “Renewed Hope Agenda,” which emphasizes economic diversification through industrialization, digitization, and innovation. He stressed that the collaboration with Google would not only empower businesses but also open new opportunities and solidify Nigeria’s position in the global digital economy. The Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy will provide strategic oversight, while NITDA will lead the implementation.

Google’s CEO Sundar Pichai confirmed the positive discussions, expressing enthusiasm about Nigeria’s potential in AI. He highlighted Google’s commitment to partnering with Nigeria to expand AI skills, foster innovation, and support the growth of the country’s tech ecosystem. This collaboration is set to enhance Nigeria’s position as a leader in Africa’s AI revolution.

Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, also emphasized the transformative potential of AI across multiple sectors, including agriculture, education, and healthcare. He noted that AI could create new job opportunities for Nigeria’s young population, countering concerns about job losses in more developed economies. Tijani reassured that while traditional roles may persist, AI will provide avenues for growth, job creation, and economic advancement in Nigeria.

SOURCE: Guardian