Nigeria Ranks 6th in AI-Related Searches Across Africa in 2024
Nigeria has emerged as a significant player in the global AI conversation, ranking 25th in the world and 6th in Africa in terms of search interest, according to the latest search trends released by Google.
The report reveals that searches related to AI in Nigeria have more than doubled in 2024, with a staggering 130% increase compared to the same period last year.
The surge in interest is not just in general AI knowledge, but also in practical applications. Searches for “what is AI” have grown by 30%, while “how to use AI” searches saw a 40% rise.
Nigerians are increasingly looking to leverage AI for career development and creative pursuits, as reflected in the exponential growth of searches like “create a logo with AI,” “create CV with AI,” “design website with AI,” and “create slides with AI.”
These specific queries have skyrocketed by over 5,000% in the past year.
Google’s report also highlights a growing curiosity among Nigerians to learn more about AI and its applications.
Searches for “AI and courses” have surged by 50%, with top queries including “is AI hard to learn,” “how to learn AI,” and “how to access and learn about AI.” Interest in the intersection of AI with business and employment has also seen significant increases, with searches related to AI and jobs growing by an impressive 640%.
The focus on AI extends beyond personal and professional development. Nigerians are increasingly interested in the role of AI in critical sectors like healthcare and cybersecurity.
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Search interest in AI and cybersecurity has nearly doubled, rising by over 80%. Similarly, searches for AI in healthcare have more than doubled, while those related to AI in medicine and STEM education have seen a 50-60% increase.
Commenting on these trends, Olumide Balogun, West Africa Director at Google, noted, “AI has the potential to create opportunities – from the extraordinary to the everyday – for everyone: bringing new waves of innovation, social and economic progress. So it’s no surprise that the people of Nigeria are already looking to make the most of this transformational technology – finding ways for it to boost their career, creativity, and society.”
This growing interest in AI aligns with the Nigerian government’s strategic initiatives to enhance the country’s capacity in this emerging technology.
Since taking office, Dr. Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, has prioritized AI in the government’s ICT agenda. Initiatives such as the AI Research Scheme, which empowered 45 AI innovators with N5 million each, and the identification of over 6,000 Nigerian AI researchers globally, underscore the government’s commitment.These efforts culminated in the launch of Nigeria’s first Multilingual Large Language Model (LLM) in April 2024.
The AI tool, a result of collaboration between a Nigerian AI company, Awarritech, global tech firm DataDotOrg, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and the National Centre for AI and Robotics (NCAIR), marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s AI journey.
As Nigeria continues to explore the potential of AI, the nation is poised to make significant strides in innovation, contributing to both local and global advancements in this transformative technology.
