*Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice-Chairman/CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission, restates the NCC’s commitment to supporting industry stakeholders to unlock the potential of Artificial Intelligence with investments in robust infrastructure and Broadband connectivity for inclusivity in the digital ecosystem

Gbenga Kayode | 绿帽献妻

For the African continent to maximise the inherent benefits of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, FNSE, FRAES, FAEng, FNIEEE, Executive Vice-Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has stressed the need for stakeholders to make robust investments in digital infrastructure and expand Broadband connectivity.

Danbatta stated this as a Keynote聽 Speaker at the ongoing the 11th Edition of the Digital Africa Conference and Exhibition, holding September 19-21, 2023, in Abuja, FCT.

绿帽献妻 reports Prof. Danbatta in his speech said the theme of this year’s event, “Artificial Intelligence and Africa,” is both “timely and significant”.

Represented at the event by Dr. Emilia Nwokolo, Head of Consumer Information and Education at NCC, the EVC/CEO of the Commission noted the commitment of the stakeholders to harnessing the power of technology to drive economic growth, social development, and innovation across the African continent.

He also said that AI had emerged as one of the most transformative technologies of our time.

“Its potential to revolutionise industries, enhance productivity, and improve the quality of life for citizens cannot be overstated,” stated he.

AI key to shaping Africa’s digital future

Expressing confidence in the industry stakeholders’ propensity to activate the new technology on the continent, he averred as the Executive Vice-Chairman of the telecoms sector regulatory Commission, “I believe that AI will play a pivotal role in shaping Africa’s digital future.

“There are several examples of AI-powered software in use in our daily lives, including voice assistants, face recognition for unlocking mobile phones, fingerprint biometrics, and machine learning-based financial fraud detection.”

According to him, recent years, the continent has witnessed remarkable advancements in AI across various sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, finance, transportation, education, and even governance in economies.

Success factors to develop,聽 maximise AI-powered solutions in Africa

Danbatta further projected that AI-powered solutions have the potential to address “some of Africa’s most pressing challenges, such as limited access to healthcare, food security, financial inclusion, and infrastructure development.”

The EVC/CEO, however, observed that for Africa to fully embrace the benefits of AI, the critical stakeholders must address several significant factors.

He also stated the continent must invest in building the necessary digital infrastructure, including the need to expand Broadband connectivity in the ecosystem.

In regard to what Nigeria has attained in the past years, he disclosed that as of July 2023, the Broadband penetration stood at 47.01 percent in the Nigeria Digital Economy.

The NCC Chief urged the African continent to commit to ensuring reliable power supply and fostering a conducive regulatory environment in order to push the frontiers of the digital ecosystem.

Danbatta equally noted that without robust infrastructure, “the potential of AI will remain untapped, and the digital divide will further widen. We must prioritise digital skills development.”

He opined that AI technologies require a skilled workforce capable of developing, deploying, and maintaining these systems.

On what, in specific terms,聽 the continent and 聽stakeholders should do to record further progress, Danbatta said, “we need to invest in education and training programmes that equip our youth with the necessary skills to participate in the AI-driven economy.

“By nurturing a generation of AI experts, we can elevate Africa’s position in the global AI landscape and create job opportunities for our youth.”

Ethical considerations in deploying AI solutions for consumers

Danbatta as well stated that ethical considerations must underpin Africa’s approach to AI deployment.

He urged the stakeholders: “As we deploy AI systems, we must ensure transparency, accountability, and fairness.

“We must guard against biases, protect privacy and data security, and uphold human rights.”

On the strategic importance of collaborations to achieve desired results, the EVC/CEO said AI should be 鈥渁 force for good, promoting inclusivity and leaving no one behind in the digital space.鈥�

He as well mentioned the need for collaborations and partnerships in unlocking the potential of AI in Africa.

“We must foster collaboration among governments, regulatory bodies, academia, the private sector, and civil society.

“By working together, we can share knowledge, pool resources together, and leverage expertise to drive innovation and create an enabling environment for AI adoption,” he said.

NCC committed to development, deployment of AI technologies, by Danbatta

As the foremost telecoms sector regulator in the West African country, Danbatta assured the audience at the forum, that Commission “is fully committed to supporting the development and deployment of AI technologies in Nigeria and across the continent.”

He said: “We are working to create an enabling regulatory framework that promotes innovation while safeguarding the interests of consumers and citizens.

“We are also collaborating with stakeholders to establish AI research and development centres, incubation hubs, and startup ecosystems to nurture homegrown AI talent.”

The Executive Vice-Chairman of NCC declared: ‘AI holds the power to transform our societies, drive economic growth, and improve the well-being of our people.”

He urged the industry stakeholders to take the timely opportunity, and work together to build “an inclusive, sustainable, and AI-powered Africa.”

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