Nigeria Advances AI Leadership with Collaborative Strategy
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has announced that Nigeria is co-creating its national artificial intelligence (AI) framework in collaboration with local innovators, researchers, and startups. The move is part of the country’s broader ambition to establish a strong leadership position in the global AI ecosystem.
According to NITDA, the framework will focus on inclusive innovation, ensuring that Nigeria’s AI development benefits multiple sectors — from education and healthcare to commerce and governance, while promoting responsible and ethical AI adoption.
Nigeria Launches N-ATLAS: A Multilingual Open-Source AI Model
A key milestone in Nigeria’s AI journey is the launch of the Nigerian Atlas for Languages & AI at Scale (N-ATLAS) — a multilingual, multimodal, open-source large language model (LLM) developed in partnership with Awarri Technologies.
The N-ATLAS project aims to map, digitise, and preserve Nigeria’s linguistic diversity, which includes over 500 indigenous languages. Beyond preservation, the model will serve as a foundation for developing inclusive AI applications that can understand and communicate in local languages.
“N-ATLAS is designed to ensure that Nigerian and African languages are not left behind in the AI revolution,” said NITDA officials. “It’s a tool for cultural preservation, digital inclusion, and innovation.”
Empowering AI Innovation Across Africa
The N-ATLAS framework is not limited to Nigeria. It is open to other African countries, offering a shared platform for regional collaboration and innovation. With over 2,000 languages spoken across Africa, most of which remain underrepresented in global AI models, this initiative represents a major step toward Africa’s digital sovereignty.
By creating open datasets and language models tailored to African contexts, NITDA and its partners aim to bridge the linguistic gap in AI systems, empowering developers and startups to create locally relevant AI solutions.
Driving Local Innovation and Economic Growth
Through N-ATLAS and the forthcoming AI framework, Nigeria is positioning itself as a continental leader in responsible AI development. The government’s inclusive approach — involving startups, academia, and the private sector — is expected to accelerate the growth of the local AI ecosystem while fostering innovation-driven economic opportunities.
NITDA’s strategy aligns with Nigeria’s broader National Digital Economy Policy, which emphasises data sovereignty, capacity building, and the localisation of emerging technologies.
Key Takeaway
Nigeria’s proactive approach to AI- centred on collaboration, cultural inclusion, and open innovation, highlights its commitment to building a homegrown AI ecosystem that reflects Africa’s linguistic and cultural diversity. With projects like N-ATLAS, the country is laying the groundwork for a digitally inclusive future driven by African innovation.
