The Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, has called on African countries to adopt artificial intelligence (AI) as a key enabler of productivity, competitiveness and employment creation. Speaking at the Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX) Nigeria 2025 in Abuja, 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.
He noted that countries already leveraging AI are witnessing exponential gains in agriculture, finance, logistics and education, while many African economies still depend on guesswork and outdated practices.
“AI 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,” the Minister said.
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 per cent. By contrast, Nigerian farmers still average 2.5 tonnes of maize per hectare compared to Brazil’s 10–12 tonnes.
To guide Africa’s AI journey, the Minister outlined four priorities: Firstly, balancing sovereignty with collaboration—developing national AI strategies while pursuing shared standards to avoid fragmentation.
Secondly, leveraging Africa’s youthful population—equipping young people with future-ready skills through initiatives such as the “3 Million Technical Talent” programme.
Thirdly, digitising African realities—creating relevant datasets in agriculture, health and education to ensure AI solutions reflect local needs.
And lastly, investing in infrastructure—ensuring affordable connectivity and clean energy as the foundation for AI-driven development.
Tijani stressed that AI should be seen as an opportunity for Africa to become a producer, not merely a consumer, of innovation.
He said, “If 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,” he said, urging stakeholders to move beyond discussions and commit to actionable plans.
Similarly, the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, called on African nations to collaborate in building shared AI infrastructure to avoid being left behind in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Delivering his welcome address at the summit, Inuwa cautioned that while Africa played only a peripheral role in past industrial revolutions, the rise of artificial intelligence presents the continent with a unique opportunity to take the lead.
“Any country left behind in this AI revolution risks catastrophe, while those who lead will shape the world,” he said.
Citing research by Epoch AI, Inuwa noted that automation could increase global economic growth by 20 per cent, potentially doubling the world economy within five years. He outlined four areas for Africa’s AI capacity-building: Human Capital—harnessing the continent’s youthful and digitally native population through programmes like Nigeria’s 3 Million Tech Talent and Digital Literacy for All.
Infrastructure—expanding connectivity, building data centres and investing in shared computing power to process African data locally.
Policy and Legal Frameworks—developing national AI strategies, with Nigeria already taking the lead under Tijani’s guidance.
Enabling Ecosystem—supporting 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.
Wrapping up the Abuja summit, Executive Vice President of the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), Trixie LohMirmand, called for deeper global collaboration to ensure Nigeria secures a central place in the AI economy.
She stressed that Nigeria’s growing population—projected to rise from 230 million today to 400 million by 2050—makes it a frontier of digital opportunity.
“Nigeria 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,” LohMirmand said.
She highlighted the role of GITEX as a global ecosystem of technology stakeholders, investors and innovators, stressing that Nigeria must “claim its seat at the global digital table.”
LohMirmand reaffirmed DWTC’s commitment to Africa, noting that GITEX Nigeria would provide a strong platform for start-ups, SMEs and innovators to access global partnerships and compete on an international scale.
Read Also: Africa Must Lead, Not Follow, in AI Revolution — NITDA DG
Below is how we can help you promote your event, organization and products/services . This is the best you can get from this global platform of over decades experience.
PACKAGE:
First Leg: Full page Promotional package showcasing your Invitation Card, Banner/Flex, 3 different Photographs and brief of the coming event. Also your picture/Name will be the headline News in digivation blog(Pre-Event)
Second Leg: Full Page Promotional package of the event showcasing 5 different photographs plus short audio/visual clip of the event. Also org. picture/Name will be the headline news our blog(Post-Event).
Rate: N150,000 Only For Both Pre and Post Events. (Rate is only Applicable during the Promotional Period)
For further inquiries, contact the undersigned:
Hilary Damissah (Editor)
Mojisola Alabi ( business Development)
Email: digivationtv@gmail.com
Chief Imo Ukwa(Advert Consultant) 08063779938
