The Federal Government of Nigeria has unveiled a N100 million AI Fund aimed at boosting local startups in the artificial intelligence (AI) sector.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, during the Global Inclusivity and AI Africa conference hosted by the US Department of State in collaboration with the Nigerian government.
Tijani revealed that the fund, created in partnership with Google and the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), will initially support ten innovative AI projects.
Each selected startup will receive up to N10 million, along with access to Google’s AI tools, mentorship, and a global network designed to accelerate their growth.
The fund is intended to address key sectors such as healthcare, education, financial inclusion, and governance, showcasing AI’s potential to drive transformative change.
Tijani highlighted the role of AI in revolutionizing various fields and emphasized the need for collaborative efforts to harness its full potential.
The conference, which gathered industry leaders, policymakers, and academics from Africa and the United States, focused on leveraging AI for development across education, health, agriculture, and more.
US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell underscored Africa’s growing role in global technology and called for sustainable AI policies and frameworks to ensure safe and equitable development.
The initiative aligns with broader goals to foster innovation, inclusivity, and sustainable growth through AI in Nigeria and across the continent.
