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In a significant move to bolster its digital transformation agenda, the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, has announced a strategic partnership with Meta to launch the Nigeria Artificial Intelligence (AI) Accelerator Programme. The initiative is designed to nurture AI-driven startups solving critical socio-economic challenges across key sectors.
The accelerator will be implemented by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and its dedicated innovation hub, the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR). The programme is scheduled to run from August to December 2025, targeting solutions across verticals such as agriculture, healthcare, education, and financial services.
According to the Ministry, the AI Accelerator will provide selected startups with access to cutting-edge technical resources, expert mentorship, and a collaborative ecosystem to refine and deploy context-relevant AI solutions. The initiative aligns with Nigeria’s broader ambition to build a globally competitive digital economy anchored in innovation, inclusion, and sustainability.
Deepening Public–Private Innovation Partnerships
This latest collaboration builds on Nigeria’s growing track record of engaging global tech firms in its national development strategy. In 2024, the government partnered with Google to launch a ₦100 million AI fund supporting local startups. That initiative was followed by a $1.5 million fund with Luminate, reinforcing government efforts to cultivate sustainable, innovation-led ecosystems.
Google has also recently pledged $5.8 million toward AI workforce development across sub-Saharan Africa, signalling increasing investor confidence in the region’s digital talent pipeline.
Meta’s involvement is expected to not only provide Nigerian innovators with access to international best practices but also enhance local integration with global machine learning and generative AI communities. This supports the government’s ongoing drive to promote responsible AI adoption, talent development, and inclusive digital growth.
A National Strategy for AI Inclusion
The Nigeria AI Accelerator is a key deliverable under the government’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, which began development in 2023. The strategy brings together local and diaspora experts to build an institutional framework that ensures AI technologies serve national development goals while addressing regulatory, ethical, and infrastructure challenges.
Speaking on the programme’s launch, Dr. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, emphasized that the initiative is “not just about technology,” but about positioning Nigeria as a globally competitive innovation hub with a focus on economic inclusion and human capital advancement.
Applications for the AI Accelerator are now open and will close on July 12, 2025. The selected cohort will undergo intensive capacity-building sessions and product development cycles, culminating in a Demo Day in December 2025.
A Regional Signal of Leadership
Nigeria’s growing portfolio of AI-focused public–private initiatives signals its intent to lead Africa’s emerging artificial intelligence landscape. As other African nations observe the outcomes of such partnerships, Nigeria is setting a precedent for regulatory collaboration, strategic investment, and inclusive technological innovation.
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