Nigeria launches $7.5m AI innovation hub with Gates Foundation support
The Federal Government has partnered with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to launch a $7.5 million Artificial Intelligence (AI) Scaling Hub aimed at accelerating the adoption of AI in education, agriculture, and healthcare.
The partnership was sealed in Abuja on Monday through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy and the Gates Foundation.
Speaking at the event, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, said the initiative will drive responsible AI development while supporting local innovators to turn ideas into real-world impact.
“The AI Scaling Hub will serve as a catalyst for Nigerian innovators — providing the resources, mentorship, and support necessary to translate ideas into impact,” Tijani said.
Uche Amaonwu, the Gates Foundation’s Nigeria Country Director, described the partnership as a step toward ensuring that underserved communities benefit from emerging technologies like AI.
The initiative comes just weeks after Nigeria unveiled its National AI Strategy, which the government says could serve as a model for other African nations.
According to the ministry, the hub will deploy mature AI technologies that have the potential to improve lives and boost economic development across various sectors.
The $7.5 million support from the Gates Foundation will be disbursed over three years, with implementation support from the Lagos Business School and other local partners.
