Google has committed £2.8 million (N2.8 billion) to advance Nigeria’s AI capabilities as part of a strategic partnership aimed at accelerating the country’s digital transformation.
Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, announced the initiative during a press briefing in Abuja, underscoring the investment as one of the largest in West Africa’s tech landscape. This initiative is set to establish Nigeria as a leading AI hub in Africa, providing extensive AI training, creating research facilities, fostering industry partnerships, and supporting tech startups in key Nigerian hubs.
The programme is expected to train over 20,000 AI developers and researchers in the next three years, aligning with Nigeria’s Digital Economy Masterplan, which targets creating one million tech jobs by 2025. “This support from Google highlights our dedication to positioning Nigeria as a leader in AI innovation,” Tijani said, emphasizing the opportunities for equipping Nigerians with crucial skills for the global digital economy.
The Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy will lead the initiative’s implementation, in collaboration with Google, to ensure its success.
