BREAKING: Nigeria’s AI talent development boosted by N2.8bn Google support
The Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy (FMCIDE) has announced a major boost to Nigeria’s AI talent development with a new N2.8 billion grant from Google.org.
This funding, provided to Data Science Nigeria, aims to advance AI education and skill-building across Nigeria, especially for underemployed and unemployed youth, and is part of Google’s broader $5.8 million commitment to support digital skills programs throughout Sub-Saharan Africa.
Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, highlighted the significance of the partnership with Google in fostering Nigeria’s digital transformation.
“This support from Google demonstrates our dedication to positioning Nigeria as a leader in AI innovation,” said Tijani. “By leveraging Google’s resources, we are creating opportunities for Nigerians to acquire the skills needed to succeed in the global digital economy, taking us closer to an inclusive, innovative future.”
The N2.8 billion grant will support Data Science Nigeria’s collaboration with the Ministry on several key programs, including:
DeepTech Ready Upskilling Programme: Equipping 20,000 young Nigerians with advanced technical skills in data science and AI to prepare them for in-demand careers.
Experience AI Programme: Providing 25,000 educators with tools and resources to teach AI to 125,000 young people, inspiring the next generation of AI innovators.
Government AI Campus Programme: Training policymakers and public servants in AI policymaking to ensure responsible and impactful AI governance.
The Ministry has laid the groundwork for Nigeria’s AI integration with initiatives like the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (NAIS) Workshop and the release of the National AI Intelligence Strategy. This Google.org support builds on that foundation, positioning Nigeria as a continental leader in AI innovation.
In a notable development, the Ministry and Google also unveiled the 10 startups selected to receive grants from the AI Fund, created by the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) in partnership with Google. Each startup will receive ₦100 million and up to $3.5 million in Google Cloud Credits to scale their solutions. Additionally, they’ll gain access to Google’s AI tools, mentorship, and global networking opportunities. The selected startups include:
- BetaLife Health: Uses AI to manage and predict blood demand for African hospitals.
- Bunce: An AI-powered platform for centralized, personalized customer engagement.
- CDIAL AI: Provides text-to-speech and speech-to-text functions in 13 languages for underserved regions.
- Farmspeak: Uses AI for livestock disease detection and climate control support.
- Lendsqr: AI-based platform for streamlining lending operations.
- ProDevs: Connects global companies with African tech talent through AI-driven job matching.
- Rana Energy: Offers AI-optimized sustainable energy management for underserved users.
- SaaSPro Health: Provides AI-driven healthcare documentation for Nigerian doctors.
- Towntalk: Delivers AI-driven security insights to empower African communities.
- Trade Lenda: Uses AI to improve credit analysis for MSMEs, enhancing financing access.
These startups will address local challenges in sectors like healthcare, agriculture, education, and governance, contributing to sustainable economic growth through AI.
Matt Brittin, President of Google for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, reiterated Google’s commitment to Africa’s innovation ecosystem, noting, “Across Africa, entrepreneurs are using technology, including AI, to address large-scale societal challenges. Google remains committed to supporting these innovators, helping them expand their impact across the continent.”
This initiative aligns with findings from Public First, which project that AI could add as much as $15 billion to Nigeria’s economy by 2030. With programs designed to equip entrepreneurs and innovators with vital AI resources, the initiative seeks to unlock that economic potential, underscoring the importance of this collaboration for Nigeria’s digital future.
Building on Google’s 2023 N1.2 billion commitment to Nigeria, which focused on empowering 20,000 Nigerians through digital skills, this new partnership aims to foster a sustainable AI ecosystem that drives economic and social progress throughout Nigeria.
