Google plans $2 million commitment to improve Nigeria's digital sector

Google has announced plans to commit 3 billion naira (approximately $2 million) to improve Nigeria’s digital transformation. The funds will be disbursed through its philanthropic arm, Google.org, through several initiatives.

The fund will be used to support programmes focused on building AI talent and strengthening digital safety and security within the community. The initiative is also a core commitment to push forward Nigeria’s vision for digital leadership, directly providing support to the country’s National AI Strategy and the national mandate to create more than one million jobs in the digital sector.

Google announces plans to boost AI skills and development in Nigeria

The country is set to unlock a projected $15 billion in economic value from artificial intelligence by 2030, according to reports from Public First. This dual focus provides the opportunity for the country to boast a skilled workforce and a secure environment needed for its economic growth. Altogether, the development is expected to make economic growth more sustainable and inclusive.

Speaking on the development, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy, noted that artificial intelligence is at the heart of Nigeria’s push to improve the level of productivity in its economy. He also added that the country’s intention is to compete globally in technology and innovation among other global nations. “I welcome this important and timely investment from Google and Google.org,” he added.

Tijani mentioned that the investment reflects the power of meaningful private sector partnerships in nurturing talent, strengthening the country’s digital infrastructure, and advancing its national AI priorities. “This collaboration directly supports our drive to operationalise our National AI Strategy and to position Nigerian innovators at the forefront of the global AI revolution,” Tijani said.

The funding will be provided to five expert organizations, including FATE Foundations and African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS); African Tech Forum (ATF); JA Africa and CyberSafe Foundation.

Google, which claims that the funding will help nurture talent, explained that FATE Foundation, in collaboration with AIMS, will integrate an advanced curriculum into universities, while the ATF will launch an innovation challenge to guide developers.

Long-standing commitment to Nigeria continues

JA Africa, in its quest to improve digital safety, will scale the “Be Internet Awesome” initiative for youth, while the Cybersafe Foundation will strengthen the cybersecurity of public institutions. “We are incredibly proud to partner with the African Institute of Management Sciences on the Advanced AI UpSkilling Project, with support from Google.org,” Adenike Adeyemi, executive director at FATE Foundation, said.

Adeyemi also mentioned that the initiative is a direct response to the urgent need for competency in artificial intelligence in Africa, empowering tertiary institutions, lecturers, and students across Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa. She added that the support is in line with FATE Foundation‘s mission to improve innovation and economic growth on the continent, claiming that it will enable Africa to be equipped to lead the global technological future.

The announcement is one of Google’s commitments to Nigeria, which includes infrastructure like the Equiano subsea cable and successful initiatives like the 2023 Skills Sprint programme. Others include the 1.2 billion naira commitment to Mind the Gap, a program that has successfully trained 20,991 participants, which includes 5,217 women in AI and tech. The program also successfully moved participants to jobs, internships, and business, showing an advancement in Nigeria’s digital economy.

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