NIGERIA TARGETS LOCAL AI CAPACITY FOR $1TN ECONOMY

Nigeria is seeking to strengthen its local artificial intelligence capabilities as part of efforts to achieve the Federal Government’s ambition of building a $1tn economy.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, said the country must move beyond consuming foreign technology and develop solutions, talent and infrastructure locally.

Akume spoke at the opening of GITEX Nigeria 2026 in Abuja, where government officials, technology companies, investors and other stakeholders gathered to discuss artificial intelligence and the digital economy.

He said Nigeria’s digital transformation would require stronger indigenous innovation, sovereign infrastructure and AI systems designed to address the country’s specific needs.

The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, Kashifu Abdullahi, said the government was already investing in technical skills, connectivity, cloud infrastructure and regulatory frameworks to support digital growth.

He pointed to programmes such as Digital Literacy for All, the 3 Million Technical Talent programme and Project BRIDGE as part of efforts to expand Nigeria’s technology workforce.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, also called attention to the country’s limited computing infrastructure, despite its growing internet and subsea cable capacity.

He said much of Africa’s AI workload is currently processed outside the continent, creating challenges around cost, speed and control over data.

The government and private sector are therefore being encouraged to increase investment in local data centres, computing infrastructure and skilled professionals.

The discussions form part of Nigeria’s wider push to strengthen its digital economy and position the country as a producer of technology rather than mainly a consumer of imported solutions.

GITEX Nigeria will continue in Lagos with technology exhibitions and conferences focused on AI, digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, investment and the future economy.