*Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, Honourable Minister for Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, cautions leaders, stakeholders in the digital space that Africa could be left behind, if the continent does not fast-track the adoption of Artificial Intelligence across key sectors of the economy

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

The Federal Government of Nigeria has urged African countries to adopt Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a key enabler of productivity, competitiveness and employment creation on the continent.

绿帽献妻 reports Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, Honourable Minister for Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy (FMCIDE), said this while speaking at the Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX) Nigeria 2025, in Abuja, FCT.

Dr. Tijani cautioned that Africa could be left behind, if it does not fast-track the adoption of Artificial Intelligence across key sectors of the economy.

CNG Hikes: Motorists, consumers decry N380/SCM price increment, urge industry sustainability

The Minister noted that countries already leveraging AI are witnessing exponential gains in agriculture, finance, logistics and education.

He said several African economies, however, still depend on guesswork and outdated practices.

Tijani stated: 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.”

Drawing from recent visits to Brazil and South Africa, Tijani cited examples of AI-driven precision agriculture, where farmers use soil sensors, predictive analytics, drones and satellite imaging to improve yields and cut input costs by as much as 95 percent.

By contrast, Nigerian farmers still average 2.5 tonnes of maize per hectare compared to Brazil鈥檚 10鈥�12 tonnes.

READ ALSO聽 Konga Activates 鈥楢ll In All 鈥� Everything 脳2鈥� Category Shopping Extravaganza For Consumers

In guiding Africa鈥檚 AI journey, the Minister for FMCIDE, therefore, outlined four priorities: Firstly, balancing sovereignty with collaboration鈥攄eveloping national AI strategies while pursuing shared standards to avoid fragmentation.

Secondly, leveraging Africa鈥檚 youthful population鈥攅quipping young people with future-ready skills through initiatives such as the 鈥�3 Million Technical Talent鈥� programme.

Thirdly, digitising African realities鈥攃reating relevant datasets in agriculture, health and education to ensure AI solutions reflect local needs.

And lastly, investing in infrastructure鈥攅nsuring affordable connectivity and clean energy as the foundation for AI-driven development.

Tijani as well emphasised that AI should be seen as an opportunity for Africa to become a producer, not merely a consumer, of innovation.

鈥淚f we cannot close this gap, Africa risks becoming a continent that imports food, imports services and imports innovation.

“That is not the Africa we want,鈥� he said.

The Minister urged leaders and stakeholders in the digital economy ecosystem to move beyond discussions and commit to actionable plans in stating the four outlined priorities.

Speaking at the event also, Malam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), urged African countries to collaborate in building shared AI infrastructure to avoid being left behind in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Inuwa, in his welcome address at the summit, cautioned while Africa played only a peripheral role in past Industrial Revolutions, the rise of Artificial Intelligence now presents the continent with a unique opportunity to take the lead.

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

Referencing a research by Epoch AI, Inuwa said automation could increase global economic growth by 20 percent, potentially doubling the world economy within five years.

He outlined four areas for Africa鈥檚 AI capacity-building: Human Capital鈥攈arnessing the continent鈥檚 youthful and digitally native population through programmes like Nigeria鈥檚 3 Million Tech Talent and Digital Literacy for All.

Infrastructure鈥攅xpanding connectivity, building data centres and investing in shared computing power to process African data locally.

Policy and Legal Frameworks鈥攄eveloping national AI strategies, with Nigeria already taking the lead under Tijani鈥檚 guidance.

Enabling Ecosystem鈥攕upporting start-ups, AI research and partnerships with global tech companies, including funding for 45 Nigerian AI-focused start-ups.

Inuwa also highlighted the need for Local Large Language Models (LLMs) to ensure African cultures and values are represented in global AI systems.

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

LohMirmand said Nigeria鈥檚 growing population鈥攑rojected to rise from 230 million today to 400 million by 2050鈥攚ould make the West African country a frontier of digital opportunity.

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

According to her, Nigeria must 鈥渃laim its seat at the global digital table.鈥�

LohMirmand, in her address, also reaffirmed DWTC鈥檚 commitment to Africa.

The Executive Vice-President of the Dubai World Trade Centre, said GITEX Nigeria would offer a strong platform for start-ups, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), and innovators to access global partnerships and compete on a global scale.

Kindly Share This Story