The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, has called for stronger collaboration, practical innovation, and inclusive policymaking to position Africa as an AI-ready continent.
He made the call while speaking during panel sessions at the Hyperscalers Convergence Africa 2025 held in Lagos, themed “Fostering a Digital Africa: Connectivities, Convergence and Innovation.”
Speaking on the topic, “From Mobile First to AI-Ready: Will Africa Deliver on Innovation?” Inuwa noted that Africa’s challenges present immense opportunities if the right structures are in place. He emphasised that the continent’s youthful population one of the youngest globally remain its greatest asset.
“We have a generation that is energetic, curious, and ready to embrace digital technologies. This is a major asset, but only if we equip them with the right skills. Otherwise, it could become a demographic burden,” he said.
He explained that this understanding has shaped the Federal Government’s approach, particularly through the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme Africa’s largest digital capacity-building initiative designed to equip Nigerian youths with technical and digital skills to drive the digital economy.
On infrastructure, Inuwa disclosed that the government, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has introduced new funding mechanisms to mobilise both public and private resources. He cited the recently approved PPP Policy on Mediation and the Project Bridge initiative as examples aimed at accelerating digital infrastructure delivery.
He further revealed that the government is developing a robust Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) framework to integrate identity, payments, and data systems a foundation for innovators to build AI-driven and digital services.
On Africa’s place in the global AI ecosystem, Inuwa stressed the need to leverage local data and nurture homegrown talent to develop AI systems that reflect African realities. He cautioned against over-reliance on foreign models that may not account for the continent’s context.
“During past industrial revolutions, Africa provided raw materials but gained little technological benefit. It wasn’t due to lack of resources or talent, but lack of collaboration and structure. This time, we must unite, build capacity, and collaborate to lead, not follow,” he said.
During another session titled “Shaping Africa’s Digital Future: Policy and Regulatory Frameworks for Accelerated Growth,” the NITDA boss advocated a “dream big, build small” approach urged innovators to focus on scalable solutions that address local challenges while keeping a continental vision.
“Technology doesn’t respect borders; it connects and transforms. The solution you create for your community can grow to serve your country and even the world. That’s how every major tech company began,” he noted.
Inuwa also called for a reinvention of Africa’s social contract through inclusive, data-driven policymaking.
“Policymaking must be collaborative, inclusive, and agile. At NITDA, our Intelligent Regulatory Framework ensures policies are co-created with stakeholders, based on data and designed to evolve with innovation,” he explained.
He cited the development of Nigeria’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy as a successful example of ecosystem-driven policymaking, co-created by experts from government, academia, civil society, and the private sector.
“That’s how policymaking should be inclusive, evidence-based, and ecosystem-driven,” he concluded.
