Nigeria is on the cusp of playing a pivotal role in driving Africa’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) advancement for economic growth, according to a recent report by the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA). The report titled AI for Africa: Use Cases Delivering Impact highlights Nigeria’s potential to lead the charge in utilizing AI to foster social economic progress and climate development across the continent.
The potential impact of AI on Africa’s economy is substantial, with projections indicating a potential increase of $2.9 trillion by 2030, equivalent to a 3% annual GDP boost. While AI is being adopted across various African countries, there is a need for solutions tailored to address the unique socio-economic and environmental challenges facing the continent.
In Nigeria, efforts are underway to leverage AI for sustainable development across key sectors such as Agriculture, Energy, Climate Action, and Emerging Technologies. The country’s National Development Plan (2021-2025) aims to unlock opportunities in all sectors of the economy to drive inclusive and sustainable development in alignment with the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In the agricultural sector, which employs nearly 40% of Nigeria’s population and contributes significantly to GDP, AI-powered tools are being utilized to enhance productivity, optimize crop management, and improve access to resources for smallholder farmers. Technologies such as predictive analytics and machine learning algorithms are enabling precision agriculture, empowering farmers with tailored recommendations and improving food security by forecasting hunger and identifying malnutrition hotspots.
Additionally, Nigeria’s energy sector, which faces challenges in electricity access, is benefiting from AI-driven solutions to enhance grid efficiency, reduce power outages, and support the deployment of mini-grids for off-grid communities. Digital technologies like smart meters and solar-powered mini-grids are improving operational efficiency and extending energy services to underserved populations.
In the realm of climate action, AI is proving instrumental in enhancing the effectiveness of climate technologies. From flood forecasting models to carbon credit platforms leveraging AI, innovative solutions are emerging to address climate change challenges. Google’s Floods initiative, for example, offers early flood alerts through AI forecasting, while companies like Chemotronix are using AI alongside IoT and blockchain for accurate emissions measurement and climate finance.
As Nigeria continues to drive AI innovation across sectors, the development and deployment of AI-enabled use cases rely on robust fundamentals such as data availability, digital skills, and infrastructure capacity. With a concerted focus on harnessing AI for transformative change, Nigeria stands poised to lead Africa’s AI revolution for sustainable development and economic progress.
