*Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, restates the current wave of AI-driven disruption has presented a rare opportunity for the African continent to transition from being a consumer of technology to becoming a global driver of innovation and digital growth

Gbenga Kayode | 绿帽献妻

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has urged African countries to collaborate in building shared Artificial Intelligence (AI) infrastructure.

NITDA emphasised that the Africa must lead, not follow others, in the ongoing Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Malam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, Director-General of the agency, stated this while speaking at the opening of the Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX) Nigeria Conference 2025, held in Abuja, FCT.

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Inuwa restated that Africa must not repeat the mistakes of previous industrial revolutions where it played a marginal role.

The Director-General said that the current wave of AI-driven disruption has yet presented a rare opportunity for the African continent to transition from being a consumer of technology to becoming a global driver of innovation and digital growth.

He also asserted: 鈥淎ny country left behind in this AI revolution risks catastrophe, while those who lead will shape the world.”

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Referencing findings by global research firm Epoch AI, he noted that automation and AI adoption could raise global economic growth by 20 percent, potentially doubling the size of the world economy within five years.

According to him, such projections underscore the urgency for Africa to invest in AI capabilities.

Inuwa further noted: 鈥淎I is not just another technology trend.

鈥淚t is the engine that will power productivity, reshape industries, and redefine global competitiveness.

“For Africa, the stakes are even higher. This is our chance to leapfrog traditional development pathways and secure a strong position in the global digital economy.鈥�

4 Critical pillars for Africa鈥檚 AI agenda, by Inuwa

In order for Africa to achieve this lofty objective in the AI-driven digital ecosystem, Inuwa outlined four critical pillars for Africa鈥檚 AI agenda.

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He stated these are: the first area is Human Capital Development by harnessing the continent鈥檚 vast youth population through initiatives such as Nigeria鈥檚 3 Million Tech Talent (3MTT) programme and the Digital Literacy for All initiative.

The second area is infrastructure by expanding connectivity, building modern data centres, and investing in high-performance computing to ensure African data is processed locally and data sovereignty is preserved.

The third area is policy and Legal Frameworks by creating national AI strategies that foster innovation while ensuring ethical adoption.

The NITDA Chief said Nigeria, under the leadership of Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, Honourable Minister for Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy (FMCIDE), had already begun drafting a National AI Strategy to serve as a model for other countries on the continent.

The fourth area is through enabling Ecosystem by supporting startups, strengthening research institutions, and encouraging partnerships with global tech companies.

Inuwa as well disclosed that Nigeria has already funded 45 AI-focused startups to accelerate innovation in the country’s emerging Digital Economy.

He further highlighted the need to develop Local Large Language Models (LLMs) that reflect Africa鈥檚 diverse cultures, languages, and values.

The Director-General warned stakeholders that without deliberate efforts, African voices risk being erased from the global digital future.

Inuwa explained: 鈥淥ur languages, histories, and values must not be erased in the next wave of technological change.

“We need African LLMs that can tell our stories and preserve our cultural heritage in the age of AI.”

Urging unity of purpose among the stakeholders, Inuwa emphasised that collective effort is essential to positioning Africa as a global competitor in AI.

He stated: 鈥淭he Fourth Industrial Revolution is not a spectator sport.

鈥淚t is a global contest of ideas, infrastructure, and innovation. Africa must compete, and the only way to compete is together.鈥�

Earlier in his address on the occasion, Dr. Tijani, Minister for FMCIDE, urged African countries to adopt Artificial Intelligence as a key enabler of productivity, competitiveness, and employment creation.

The Minister also cautioned stakeholders to understand that Africa could be left behind, if the continent does not fast-track the adoption of Artificial Intelligence across key sectors of the economy.

Tijani said countries already leveraging AI are witnessing exponential gains in agriculture, finance, logistics, and education, whereas several African economies still depend on guesswork and outdated practices in these key sectors of the economy.

He averred: 鈥淎I will widen the productivity gap between nations. Countries that are already ahead will move even faster, while those still catching up will find it even more difficult.”

Trixie LohMirmand, Executive Vice-President of the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), in her opening remarks, had advocated deeper global collaboration to ensure Nigeria secures a central place in the AI economy.

LohMirmand stated: 鈥淣igeria is not defined by the headlines or its current challenges, but by the scale of opportunities of tomorrow.

“Those who stay the course are the future of Africa.”

She also highlighted the role of GITEX as a global ecosystem of technology stakeholders, investors, and innovators.

The Executive Vice-President of the Dubai World Trade Centre further stressed that Nigeria must 鈥渃laim its seat at the global digital table.鈥�

LohMirmand reaffirmed DWTC鈥檚 commitment to Africa, noting that GITEX Nigeria would provide a strong platform for startups, SMEs, and innovators to access global partnerships and compete on an international scale.

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