Nigeria Launches AI Scaling Hub to Accelerate Artificial Intelligence Development

Nigeria has announced a major initiative to strengthen its artificial intelligence ecosystem with the launch of the Nigeria AI Scaling Hub (NAISH), a national platform designed to accelerate the development and deployment of AI solutions across the country. The announcement was made by the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy,  Bosun Tijani, who revealed that the initiative will provide shared national computing infrastructure hosted by Galaxy Backbone  and supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

The establishment of a national shared compute infrastructure is intended to address one of the most significant challenges facing artificial intelligence development globally: limited access to computing resources. By making computing power available through shared national infrastructure, the government aims to reduce barriers for researchers, startups, academic institutions, and public agencies, enabling them to develop and deploy advanced AI solutions within Nigeria.

The Nigeria AI Scaling Hub serves as a collaborative platform that brings together innovators, researchers, startups, government agencies, universities, and development partners. The initiative seeks to provide the infrastructure, partnerships, and technical support required to move successful AI projects from pilot stages to large-scale implementation. In addition to expanding access to computing resources, the hub is expected to strengthen collaboration within the country’s AI ecosystem and support solutions that address national development priorities.

The launch of the hub also marks the beginning of the Scaling AI for Development (SAID) Challenge, an initiative designed to connect government institutions with Nigerian AI startups. The programme aims to encourage the development of practical AI applications that can address real public-sector challenges and improve service delivery across various government institutions.

Officials say the initiative reflects Nigeria’s growing ambition to become a leading hub for artificial intelligence innovation in Africa. By investing in digital infrastructure and fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors, the government hopes to create an inclusive AI ecosystem capable of producing globally competitive solutions while addressing local development needs.

The minister also acknowledged the contributions of several partners, including the Gates Foundation, Lagos Business School, Pan-Atlantic University, Galaxy Backbone, and other stakeholders supporting the development of Nigeria’s AI ecosystem. Applications for the Scaling AI for Development Challenge have been opened to Nigerian startups developing proven AI solutions that can enhance public service delivery and contribute to national development goals.