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Artificial Intelligence (AI) presents significant opportunities for Nigeria and Africa to accelerate their development goals, according to participants at the “Global Inclusivity and AI: Africa” conference in Lagos from September 10-11, 2024.
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The two-day event was co-hosted by the U.S. Department of State and Nigeria’s Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy. The event hosted over 200 attendees that discussed the future of AI in Africa. They included U.S. and African government officials, private sector leaders, civil society representatives, and academic experts.
“AI offers real opportunities to advance Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and address key challenges like global health, food security, education, and climate change,” said U.S. Ambassador Richard Mill in his closing remarks. He emphasised the importance of African voices in shaping global AI systems and stressed the need for safeguards to ensure ethical AI use.
The U.S. government reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with African nations like Nigeria to ensure equitable AI development.
AI needs infrastructure and partnerships
“According to Prof. Ibrahim Adeyanju, Managing Director/CEO of Galaxy Backbone Limited, Nigeria’s contribution to global AI advancements depends on strengthening infrastructure and partnerships. “With data centers in Abuja and Kano, the Nigerian government is providing the necessary infrastructure to drive AI adoption,” Adeyanju noted.
Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), highlighted the transformative potential of AI in Africa.
In his keynote address, titled “Partnership to Catalyze Africa in the 4th Industrial Revolution,” Abdullahi stressed that collaboration is essential to harness AI for human progress.
Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to leveraging AI for national development. He outlined plans for creating structured policy support to promote AI adoption across all sectors.
Ambassador Mill further emphasized the importance of responsible AI use. “When AI is used responsibly, respecting individual rights, societies become more secure, resilient, and prosperous. This conference aimed to foster an open, multi-stakeholder dialogue that includes voices from diverse backgrounds,” he said.
The U.S. delegation, led by Acting Special Envoy for Critical and Emerging Technology Dr. Seth Center and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Joy Basu, underscored the importance of global collaboration. The conference also featured remarks from Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, reflecting the U.S.’s strong focus on supporting AI development in Africa.
This conference marks a pivotal moment for Africa as it seeks to use AI technology to address critical development challenges and shape a future of inclusive growth.
