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GSMA Highlights Nigeria’s AI-driven Path to Economic Growth and Climate Impact
The GSMA has identified Nigeria as a pivotal player in the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) for driving socio-economic progress and climate impact in its new report, “AI for Africa: Use Cases Delivering Impact – Nigeria Deep Dive“.
It follows the continent-wide report, funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), which highlighted that while Africa currently accounts for only 2.5% of the global AI market, emerging AI applications hold the potential to boost African economic growth by an astonishing $2.9 trillion by 2030.
The newly-released analysis on Nigeria, also funded by the FCDO, highlights AI’s transformative capacity in the country in key sectors such as agriculture, energy and climate action, and underscores Nigeria’s potential to lead in AI-driven development across the continent.
Agriculture: enhancing productivity and food security
Agriculture remains a significant sector in Nigeria, employing nearly 40% of the population and contributing a quarter of the GDP. The report identifies substantial opportunities for AI and digital technologies to enhance resource efficiency, increase productivity, improve market access, and reduce post-harvest losses.
AI-powered solutions like Crop2Cash’s FarmAdvice and ThriveAgric’s Agricultural Operating System are already making strides by providing tailored advice and financial services to farmers.
However, challenges such as limited data availability, high costs, and a significant digital skills gap among smallholder farmers hinder the widespread adoption of AI.
Energy: optimising access and efficiency
Nigeria’s energy sector faces challenges including an ageing infrastructure and a reliance on fossil fuels. The deployment of AI technologies in the field remains nascent in Nigeria but has significant potential to improve energy distribution and reliability.
Innovations like Beacon Power Services’ AI-enabled grid management platform and Husk Power Systems’ AI-driven mini-grids can optimise energy usage and extend access to rural areas.
These solutions are critical in addressing the energy sector’s needs, providing both on-grid and off-grid systems with the tools to enhance efficiency and sustainability. Where access is lacking, AI could also play a role by helping inform energy planning and supporting the financing of solar appliances to reduce energy poverty.
Climate action: building resilience
Despite low greenhouse gas emissions, Nigeria is highly vulnerable to climate change. Existing AI-driven solutions include Google’s flood forecasting tool and Chemotronix, a carbon credit platform enabled by AI.
While climate-related AI applications are currently limited in Nigeria, there is potential to further leverage AI capabilities for climate action, especially around natural resource management.
Satellite imagery could help biodiversity mapping and monitoring, while climate modelling could help understand the future impact of climate change in highly polluted areas, helping Nigeria mitigate and adapt to environmental challenges.
Addressing key challenges
To fully leverage AI’s potential, the report identifies several critical areas of focus:
– Data availability and accessibility: investing in localised, domain-specific data collection and ensuring safe data handling practices are essential. Increasing access to high-quality data will help customise AI solutions to local needs.
– AI infrastructure and computing: expanding infrastructure, enhancing access to high-performance computing, and prioritising edge computing capabilities are necessary steps. Investments in these areas will support AI scalability and effectiveness.
– Skills development: enhancing AI and data science education, accelerating digital literacy, and building capacity for AI users and builders are vital. Developing a skilled workforce will drive innovation and adoption of AI technologies.
– Policy and ecosystem support: establishing clear policy roadmaps, encouraging cross-sector collaboration, and promoting local investment are key to fostering a robust AI ecosystem. Strengthening these areas will create an enabling environment for AI growth.
Strategic recommendations
The report provides targeted recommendations to support AI deployment in Nigeria:
– Invest in localised data collection: support the financing of hardware and devices, including drones, IoT sensors, and smartphones to accelerate data collection across sectors, and support initiatives building local language datasets.
– Enhance infrastructure and compute capabilities: invest in data centres, promote clean energy sources, and develop edge computing solutions for low-resource environments.
– Foster AI skills and education: capitalise on Nigeria’s young population by enhancing AI and data science curricula, providing scholarships, and supporting capacity-building initiatives.
– Strengthen AI ecosystem: encourage public-private partnerships, mitigate investment risks, and boost funding for R&D to promote innovation and sustainable development.
Max Cuvellier Giacomelli, Head of Mobile for Development at the GSMA, said: “Nigeria’s potential to harness AI for transformative change is immense. The innovative applications we are already seeing in agriculture, energy, and climate action are just the beginning. With further progress around data availability, connectivity, or skills development, the country can truly enable AI to drive significant socio-economic progress.”
News
ARCON to Sanction Perpetrators of Misleading Adverts
Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) has expressed concern over the proliferation of unethical advertisements on Meta-owned platforms, including Instagram and Facebook.
The regulator criticised individuals and organisations promoting unverified health claims, warning that such practices endanger public health and violate advertising laws.
In a statement signed by Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, its director-general, ARCON, announced plans to sanction those responsible for these misleading advertisements.
The agency highlighted that many of the claims lack scientific or clinical validation, putting Nigerian consumers at risk.
“Investigations reveal that these products are not certified by relevant regulatory agencies and may be unsafe for use. Advertisers exploit the unregulated nature of online platforms to circulate these unapproved ads,” ARCON stated.
The agency further explained that the ads were neither submitted to nor approved by the Advertising Standards Panel (ASP), a statutory body tasked with ensuring compliance with the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria Act No. 23 of 2022.
The ASP’s role includes vetting advertisements for ethical standards and adherence to Nigerian laws.
Some of the products include, Hookup Kit Runs Girl Package (It brings only rich and wealthy men to you), Nancy Secret Kayamata (Come and lock ur stubborn clients with us), Extreme Control Set (It comes with attention, love, control/command products to make your man grant your heart desires), Nancy Secret Kayamata (Very effective result is guarantee…) and Big Girls Soap (This is a special product for ladies that are expecting rich men & also favour from them and contractors can use it as well).
Dr. Edheba Trado Medical Centre also made two claims (We specialize in all bones dislocations, fractures, all spinal injuries; and Absolute treatment for all cases of high blood pressure)
While five claims were made by Billz Herbal Wellness (Bring all your ‘gbola’ issues to bills … I can help you get rid of that stubborn infection as well; Na ‘gbola’ wey sweet woman de fight for; Make it stronger, longer and last longer in bed; Meet the infection terminator; and Stop scratching and treat infection).
Jinja Herbal Extracts also has five claims (For treatment of infections, diabetes and others; The solution for all kinds of infections; Stabilises blood sugar level; Don’t let this lucrative opportunity pass by; and Boost your health with our super unique Jinja Herbal Extracts).
News
Nigeria’s Education Reform: 16 New Trades Added to Curriculum
As part of efforts to reform the Education sector in Nigeria, the Federal Government has announced the addition of hairstyling, plumbing, GSM repair, makeup and 12 other new trades/new subjects to the basic education curriculum.
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) disclosed this in a statement released. The new trades were added to the Basic Education curriculum to boost students’ practical skills and employability.
The subjects include plumbing; tiling and floor works; POP installation; event decoration and management; bakery and confectioneries; hairstyling; makeup; interior design; GSM repairs and satellite/TV antenna installation.
Others are CCTV and intercom installation and maintenance; solar installation and maintenance; garment making; agriculture and processing (including crop production, beekeeping, horticulture and livestock farming like poultry and rabbit rearing), and basic digital literacy (including IT and robotics).
The statement mentioned that the new subjects will take effect from January 2025 for primary and junior secondary students across the country.
News
Social Impact Champions Call for Business Investment in African Women and Girls
Social impact and industry leaders have called on Global Conglomerates, African Businesses, Philanthropies and Foundations meeting in Davos to support the advancement of social progress for African women and Girls.
Leaders who attended the two events organised by Brands on a Mission (BoaM), Children’s Investment Finance Foundation (CIFF) and Tiko – a non-profit leveraging technology to transform sexual and reproductive health – emphasised the social and economic advantages that can be won through investment in African women and girls.
BoaM Founder and Chief Mission Officer Professor Myriam Sidibe said, “as a woman and a lifelong advocate for sustainable business practices, I have witnessed the transformative power of investing in Africa’s greatest resource: its girls. They are not only the future of our continent but also the untapped potential that can drive unprecedented economic and social change.”
Investment in women and girls, who make up 50 percent of Africa’s population – makes good business sense with African women and girls driving up to 70 percent of consumer spend and acting as key decision-makers for four out of five products purchased in their households. Protecting the interests of women and girls also protects the interests of economic growth on the African continent.
According to the World Health Organisation, poor access to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights services and products is to blame for approximately 73 million induced abortions that take place in Africa while over one million sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are acquired every day. Almost one in three women, across their lifetime have been subjected to physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner, or sexual violence by a non-partner and almost half of all abortions are unsafe.
Professor Sidibe said, “in a rapidly evolving global landscape, businesses are increasingly challenged to find meaningful ways to align profit with purpose. Investing in African girls offers a unique opportunity to bridge this gap. By empowering young women through education, skills development, and access to critical resources, we lay the foundation for vibrant markets, resilient communities, and innovative ecosystems.”
The organisers of the two events held at the Goals House and SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) tent called for a world in which private sector investment in evidence-based, impact-first initiatives in service of African girls and young women is the norm and not the exception.
The World Economic Forum in Davos brings together government, business, and civil society to address key global and regional challenges such as responding to geopolitical shocks, the climate crisis and stimulating growth to improve living standards.
Speakers at the first event held at the Goals House included moderation by Professor Myriam Sidibe, Founder and Chief Mission Officer, Brands on a Mission with speakers including Paul Polman, Business Leader, climate and equalities campaigner; The Honourable Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Trade, Investment, and Industry of Nigeria; Nicola Galombik, Executive Director of Yellowwoods; Payal Dalal, Executive VP of Global Programs at the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth; and Sophie Hodder, Director and Pillar Lead, Girl Capital Africa at the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF).
The second event at the SDG tent included moderation by Professor Myriam Sidibe, Founder and Chief Mission Officer, Brands on a Mission and speakers including Sophie Hodder, Pillar Lead and Director, Girl Capital Africa – Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli, President/CEO – One Campaign, Hermann Betten, Chief Corporate Affairs & Communications Officer, Flora Food Group and Benoit Renard, Co-founder & CEO – Tiko.
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