Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NigComSat), the country’s satellite operator, has warned that Nigeria may lose a $1.2 trillion share of the global Artificial Intelligence (AI) economy by 2030.
Nkechi Egerton-Idehen, Managing Director of NigComSat, made this known in a statement issued at the weekend. Her comment followed her participation in the 12th Regular Meeting of the National Council for Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, held in Makurdi, Benue State.
Egerton-Idehen emphasized the urgent need for policy action to harness the potential of artificial intelligence. The meeting, organized by the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, had the theme “Accelerating the Adoption of Artificial Intelligence through Policy and Innovation for Sustainable Development in Nigeria.”
According to Egerton-Idehen, AI is transforming industries, economies, and societies worldwide, with projections indicating it will contribute up to $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030. Africa is expected to gain $1.2 trillion of this, but only if the right policies and innovations are put in place.
Egerton-Idehen highlighted AI’s transformative potential in agriculture, particularly in Benue State, Nigeria’s “food basket.” She noted that machine learning tools could revolutionize agricultural practices by improving pest detection and optimizing planting schedules using satellite imagery.
“AI offers us the chance to not only flourish economically but also to achieve food security. However, we must ask ourselves if we are prepared to manage this technology responsibly,” she added.
However, Egerton-Idehen also pointed out that internet access remains a significant barrier to AI adoption in Nigeria. As of early 2024, only 45.5% of Nigerians had access to the internet. She stressed the need for a coordinated effort to expand access to digital infrastructure while enforcing relevant policies.
“For AI tools to be effective, basic digital infrastructure is essential. Addressing this gap must be a priority,” she said.
Reflecting on the discussions at the meeting, Egerton-Idehen expressed both optimism and urgency, noting the rapid pace of AI advancements globally. “AI is happening. We have the opportunity to manage this technology revolution responsibly, both in Africa and globally, through innovation and governance,” she said.
The Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy has released a draft National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, aiming to position Nigeria as a global leader in AI. The draft strategy outlines strategic pillars for responsible AI development and seeks to foster a robust ecosystem for innovation.
This initiative builds on earlier efforts, including the establishment of the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics in 2020 and various funding programs for AI research and startups. While the NAIS is still in draft form, it reflects Nigeria’s commitment to leveraging AI as a transformative tool for economic and social development.
