Africa Must Lead, Not Follow, in AI Revolution — NITDA DG
By James Ishaku
The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, has urged African nations to collaborate in building shared Artificial Intelligence (AI) infrastructure, stressing that the Africa must lead—not follow—in the ongoing Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Speaking at the opening of the Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX) Nigeria Conference 2025 in Abuja, Inuwa stressed that Africa must not repeat the mistakes of previous industrial revolutions where it played a marginal role. He argued that the current wave of AI-driven disruption presents a rare opportunity for the continent to transition from being a consumer of technology to becoming a global driver of innovation and digital growth.
“Any country left behind in this AI revolution risks catastrophe, while those who lead will shape the world,” Inuwa declared.
Citing findings by global research firm Epoch AI, he noted that automation and AI adoption could raise global economic growth by 20 percent, potentially doubling the size of the world economy within five years. He said such projections underscore the urgency for Africa to invest in AI capabilities.
“AI is not just another technology trend,” Inuwa explained. “It is the engine that will power productivity, reshape industries, and redefine global competitiveness. For Africa, the stakes are even higher. This is our chance to leapfrog traditional development pathways and secure a strong position in the global digital economy.”
To achieve this, Inuwa outlined four critical pillars for Africa’s AI agenda: the first area is Human Capital Development by harnessing the continent’s vast youth population through initiatives such as Nigeria’s 3 Million Tech Talent (3MTT) programme and the Digital Literacy for All initiative.
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