The Nigerian government has urged African nations to unite efforts and drive Africa AI growth through shared infrastructure and talent development. This call came from Malam Kashifu Inuwa, Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), during the opening ceremony of GITEX Africa in Abuja. The conference, which runs for four days, carries the theme, “Building Continental Digital Foundations for Equitable AI Development.”
Speaking at the event, Inuwa emphasized the importance of collaboration among African countries. He noted that no single nation can succeed alone in this digital era. Africa must come together, share experiences, and create strong partnerships. Only then can the continent take a leadership position in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolution.
He described the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) as an opportunity Africa cannot afford to miss. Inuwa explained that this revolution goes beyond machines and systems. At its core, it focuses on people—on the talent that powers technology. African countries, with their youthful and tech-savvy populations, are well-positioned to benefit from this moment. However, success depends on deliberate and collective actions.
Inuwa called on African governments to invest more in building local talent. According to him, Africa has the people, the energy, and the ambition. Now, it must build the systems that will transform that potential into innovation and global relevance. He stressed that policies must support human capital development, digital education, and long-term digital inclusion.
He said, “We need to look at human capital development. Africa has the talent and the digital native population. We can position ourselves to lead in this revolution.” His words echoed the belief that talent and technology must evolve together for true impact.
In addition to talent, he emphasized infrastructure as a key part of digital transformation. Roads and bridges are important, but so are data centers, fiber optics, and cloud systems. These digital foundations, he said, must be accessible and well-integrated across the continent. Africa must not build in silos. Rather, it must design systems that connect people, governments, and businesses in real time.
Inuwa also spotlighted Nigeria’s commitment to this vision. He mentioned national programmes like the Talent Acceleration Programme and Digital Literacy for All. These initiatives aim to empower citizens with digital skills and tech knowledge. Nigeria, he said, is not waiting for the future—it is building it now.
He further called for ethical frameworks to guide the use of AI. According to him, AI must serve people, not replace them. Transparency, fairness, and inclusiveness must guide every development. These values will ensure Africa builds technology that reflects its unique realities and solves real problems.
He concluded by urging African countries to keep learning from one another. Knowledge sharing, innovation hubs, and regional alliances must grow stronger. The future of Africa AI growth depends on collective courage and action. Now is the time to collaborate, to innovate, and to lead with purpose.
At GITEX Africa, these messages resonated strongly. The conversations focused on possibilities, not problems. As African leaders look ahead, the goal remains clear—build smart, build together, and secure a digital future for all.
