The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, has called for stronger collaboration among African nations to build shared Artificial Intelligence (AI) infrastructure, warning that the continent cannot afford to remain a bystander in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Speaking at the opening of the Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX) Nigeria Conference 2025 in Abuja, Inuwa said Africa must avoid repeating the mistakes of previous industrial revolutions where it played a marginal role.
He argued that the AI era offers a rare chance for the continent to shift from being a consumer of technology to becoming a global driver of digital innovation.
“Any country left behind in this AI revolution risks catastrophe, while those who lead will shape the world,” he declared.
Citing research by global firm Epoch AI, Inuwa noted that automation and AI adoption could raise global economic growth by 20 per cent and potentially double the size of the world economy within five years.
“AI is not just another technology trend,” he said. “It is the engine that will power productivity, reshape industries, and redefine global competitiveness. For Africa, the stakes are even higher. This is our chance to leapfrog traditional development pathways and secure a strong position in the global digital economy.”
Inuwa outlined key priorities for the continent’s AI agenda, including human capital development through initiatives such as Nigeria’s 3 Million Tech Talent (3MTT) programme and the Digital Literacy for All initiative.
He also stressed the need for infrastructure—expanded connectivity, modern data centres, and high-performance computing, to ensure data is processed locally and sovereignty protected.
On policy and regulation, he said national AI strategies must balance innovation with ethics, pointing to Nigeria’s ongoing work under the leadership of the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, as a model for other countries.
He further urged support for startups, research institutions, and global partnerships, revealing that Nigeria has already funded 45 AI-focused startups to accelerate innovation.
The NITDA DG warned that Africa must also develop its own large language models (LLMs) that reflect its cultures and values. “Our languages, histories, and values must not be erased in the next wave of technological change. We need African LLMs that can tell our stories and preserve our cultural heritage in the age of AI,” he said.
He closed his address with a rallying call for unity: “The Fourth Industrial Revolution is not a spectator sport. It is a global contest of ideas, infrastructure, and innovation. Africa must compete, and the only way to compete is together.”
In his remarks, the Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, urged African countries to adopt AI as a driver of productivity, competitiveness, and job creation, warning that the continent could be left behind without swift action.
He pointed out that countries already applying AI are seeing exponential gains in agriculture, finance, logistics, and education, while many African economies remain reliant 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,” he said.
Earlier, the Executive Vice President of the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), Trixie LohMirmand, called for deeper global collaboration to secure Nigeria’s place in the AI economy.
“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,” she said.
She stressed that Nigeria must “claim its seat at the global digital table” and described GITEX as a vital platform for startups, SMEs, and innovators to access international partnerships.
Reaffirming DWTC’s commitment, LohMirmand said GITEX Nigeria would open the door for African innovators to compete on the global stage.
