The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has entered into a strategic partnership with Nkenne AI to accelerate the development of AI-powered language translation technologies and strengthen Nigeria’s ambition to become a leading artificial intelligence hub in Africa.
The collaboration focuses on leveraging artificial intelligence to bridge Nigeria’s language divide in digital technology, while also promoting innovation, sustainable business models, and the infrastructure needed to support long-term growth in the country’s digital economy.
Driving AI adoption and digital literacy
Speaking during the engagement, Bunmi Ajala, National Director of the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics under NITDA, highlighted the agency’s broader strategy to strengthen Nigeria’s AI ecosystem.
Ajala said the agency is targeting 70 per cent digital literacy by 2027, alongside building a robust talent pipeline and integrating artificial intelligence into public service delivery across government institutions.
She also emphasised the need for high-performance computing infrastructure to support local innovation, including access to advanced technologies such as Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), Tensor Processing Units (TPUs), and the government-backed GovNet initiative, which aims to provide secure digital infrastructure for public sector services.
Focus on localised AI solutions
Chief Executive Officer of Nkenne AI, Michael Odokara-Okigbo, said the company’s work centres on building localised AI language solutions tailored to Africa’s unique needs.
According to him, the technology will support sector-specific translations in critical areas such as healthcare, financial technology, and governance, helping organisations communicate more effectively with diverse communities.
Expanding Nigeria’s AI ecosystem
The partnership is expected to play a key role in bridging Nigeria’s language barriers in technology, enabling more people to access digital services while strengthening innovation within the country’s rapidly growing tech ecosystem.
By combining NITDA’s policy and development mandate with Nkenne AI’s expertise in language-focused artificial intelligence, the initiative aims to create inclusive digital solutions that support economic growth, technological advancement, and wider participation in Nigeria’s digital future.
