Nigeria could miss out on a projected $1.2 trillion share of Africa’s AI economy by 2030 unless decisive policy and infrastructure improvements are made, warned Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT). This caution came from NIGCOMSAT Managing Director, Nkechi Egerton-Idehen, during the 12th Regular Meeting of the National Council for Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy in Makurdi, Benue State.
Citing a PricewaterhouseCoopers report, Egerton-Idehen highlighted AI’s potential to add $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030, with Africa positioned to benefit significantly. However, she noted that Nigeria’s readiness is hindered by limited internet access—currently at just 45.5% of the population—and insufficient digital infrastructure.
Egerton-Idehen emphasized AI’s transformative impact on sectors like agriculture, referencing Benue State’s potential to leverage machine learning for pest detection and crop optimization. She also urged policymakers to adopt the draft National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (NAIS) to position Nigeria as a leader in AI innovation while addressing critical infrastructure gaps.
The draft NAIS, developed in August 2024, outlines pillars for responsible AI development and builds on initiatives like the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics established in 2020. Egerton-Idehen called for urgency, stressing that AI’s rapid advancement globally demands proactive measures for Nigeria to seize this transformative opportunity.