Nigeria On Track To Become Global AI Power – Microsoft

The General Manager of Microsoft Nigeria and Ghana, Mr. Abideen Yusuf, has expressed confidence in Nigeria’s potential to evolve from having “pockets of innovation” into a global hub for Artificial Intelligence (AI) development.

Speaking to journalists in Lagos on Tuesday, Yusuf noted that AI could add over $15 trillion to the global economy by 2030 and emphasized that Nigeria has a unique opportunity to become a major contributor to this growth.

“Nigeria can shift from merely consuming AI technologies to producing them for global use—driving both economic advancement and innovation,” he said.

Highlighting Lagos as a growing tech hub with increasing venture capital and startup activity, Yusuf said the city reflects the country’s readiness to scale AI innovation nationwide. However, he stressed that inclusive economic growth would depend on making AI technology widely accessible across the country.

“To build a strong AI economy, we need a two-pronged strategy—developing a robust AI ecosystem and cultivating an AI-ready workforce,” he explained.

Yusuf pointed out that a solid AI ecosystem begins with infrastructure, such as reliable power and data centers. He noted Microsoft’s investments in these areas, including the establishment of Africa’s first data centers and Edge Nodes in Nigeria, aimed at enhancing network speed and cloud service access.

He also called for sustained investment and collaboration between government and the private sector to grow digital infrastructure and foster innovation.

Transforming data into advanced AI models and solutions, he added, will require a combination of infrastructure and human capital. In this regard, Yusuf underscored the importance of preparing Nigeria’s youth for the AI-driven future.

“With Africa expected to account for 42% of the global youth population by 2030, Nigeria stands at the forefront of this demographic shift,” he said.

He praised the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy’s 3MTT initiative, which aims to create two million digital jobs, and emphasized the role of public-private partnerships in bridging the digital skills gap.

Yusuf also pointed to Microsoft’s collaboration with non-profits like the Wootlab Foundation to roll out targeted AI training programs as essential for empowering the next generation of Nigerian tech talent.