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Nigeria to Lead Africa in AI, Blockchain Technology – NITDA DG
Mr. Kashifu Inuwa, director general of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA ), said Nigeria will lead other African countries in artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain technology.
He said this will lead to the economic diversification of the continent.
Inuwa made this claim on Wednesday at the Digital Africa 2021 virtual conference and exhibition where he spoke about “Building a New Africa with AI and Blockchain”.
He said that with the continent’s population growth and declining oil revenues, especially in Nigeria , there was a need to tap into other areas to diversify the economy.
Emerging technology is one such area, he said, and will play an important role in economic diversification.
“Digital technologies are changing the world at a faster rate than the waves of technological innovation seen before.
“Nigeria needs to accelerate its growth and modernize its economy through the development of a digitally driven growth strategy for the Nigerian economy.
“It is relevant to note that despite the economic shocks from the COVID-19 pandemic, most of the growth seen in economies has come from viable digital economies.
“The digital economy has been identified as an engine of growth, so Nigeria can harness it as an engine of growth and innovation,” he said.
The head of NITDA affirmed that the World Bank Group’s initiative on the digital economy for Africa (DE4A) supports the digital transformation strategy for Africa, prepared by the African Union (AU).
He also stressed that the DE4A initiative recognizes that the digital economy can help accelerate the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
He said that recently there was a call to action with the unveiling of the “Economic Sustainability Plan 2020”, which aimed to put technology at the forefront of development in Nigeria.
Inuwa said the conference was a meeting point for professionals, practitioners and policy makers to reflect on how best to harness these technologies for the benefit of citizens.
“For Nigeria, a country in desperate need of diversifying its economy, digital economic activities are essential for diversification as they transcend all aspects of human endeavor and the economic sector,” he said.
He pointed out that at NITDA, the development and use of emerging technologies was one of the strategic pillars of the agency’s 2021-2024 roadmap and action plan.
To drive this pillar, he said the agency is working with relevant stakeholders and researchers to secure AI, blockchain and other emerging technologies to support the country’s economic diversification and sustainability plan.
He reiterated that the focus on economic progress in sub-Saharan Africa, taking advantage of emerging technologies, especially AI, blockchain, Internet of Things and 5G, was highly commendable and appropriate.
He urged stakeholders present at the event to build the partnerships and collaborations necessary to make Nigeria a leading digital and knowledge economy by 2030.
Keynote speaker for the event, Professor Umar Danbatta, Executive Vice President of the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), urged Africa to take advantage of the unprecedented volume of data being generated on sentiment, behavior, human health, commerce, communications, migration and more.
“The adoption of AI solutions is expected to increase dramatically over the next few years and competition among large AI companies is expected to be intense.
“In a recent report released by Markets and Markets (M&M), the size of the global AI market is expected to grow from $ 58.3 billion in 2021 to $ 309.6 billion by 2026.
“It’s a compound of a whopping 39.7% growth rate over the forecast period,” Danbatta said.
He explained that BlockChain was the basis of cryptocurrency such as bitcoin; one of the newest technologies that has received considerable global attention in recent times.
According to him, BlockChain served as the immutable metric that allowed transactions to take place and its applications are emerging, spanning many areas including financial services, rebuttal systems, the Internet of Things (IoT), health, among others.
Danbatta also said that robust and reliable broadband infrastructure and cutting-edge technology, such as the 5th generation (5G) network, are needed to unlock the enormous economic potential of AI and BlockChain in every. country.
He reiterated that African countries including Nigeria must be positioned to take advantage of the huge revenues from AI technologies, BlockChain in particular, over the next five years to make way for a digital economy.
AI refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines programmed to think like humans and mimic their actions, while Blockchain technology is a structure that stores transactional records, also known as block, of the public in multiple databases. of data, called a string.
Airtel Africa Foundation, through Airtel Nigeria, has marked International Volunteer Day 2025 by celebrating the impact of the Employee Volunteer Programme (EVP), a flagship initiative by which employees volunteer their time, expertise, and personal resources to advancing the Foundation’s mission across 14 African markets.
The celebration brought together volunteers at the Airtel Nigeria Headquarters in Lagos for moments of team bonding activities, testimonials, and volunteer spotlights. The event also served as a call to action, encouraging more employees to register for EVP activities and join the volunteer community.
The EVP has become a cornerstone of Airtel Africa Foundation’s community impact, empowering employees to drive local CSR initiatives and champion causes that promote education, digital skills, environmental responsibility, and youth empowerment. Through the programme, volunteers have contributed significantly to initiatives such as the International Day of Education Essay Competition, Teacher-for-a-Day sessions, beach clean-ups, market sensitisation exercises to reduce plastic waste, and the Airtel-3MTT NextGen Fellowship for young Nigerians.
Speaking about the celebration, Dinesh Balsingh, Airtel Nigeria Chief Executive Officer, said, “International Volunteer Day reminds us that real impact begins with people who are willing to show up and serve. Today we honour the incredible dedication of Airtel employees, whose selfless commitment of time and talent is the engine behind our progress. Their contribution is the backbone of our work and the reason we continue to transform communities across Africa.”
Over the years, the EVP in Nigeria has delivered tangible outcomes through numerous impactful initiatives such as financial donations to the Lagos State Government COVID-19 control efforts. In 2025 alone, volunteers have contributed more than 200 hours of service, reaching over 100,000 beneficiaries.
Commenting on the commitment of Airtel Nigeria’s employees, Femi Adeniran, Director, Corporate Communications & CSR, said, “Volunteering is at the heart of who we are. Behind every empowered learner, every restored environment, and every connected community is an individual who believed in making a difference, and we are thankful for your participation. Our mission remains clear: to use technology, resources, and our collective humanity to build a digitally inclusive, socially responsible, and sustainable Africa.”
International Volunteer Day provides a global moment to honour volunteers whose contributions often go unseen but deliver lasting impact. As its EVP continues to grow, Airtel Africa Foundation remains committed to expanding access to education, digital literacy, environmental care, and opportunities for underserved communities across the continent.
Nigerian creators have emerged dominant at the 2025 TikTok Awards for Sub-Saharan Africa, winning six of the ten categories at the ceremony held in Johannesburg, South Africa.
TikTok Sub-Saharan Africa Awards
The awards, themed “New Era, New Icons”, celebrated outstanding creativity across the continent, with Nigeria’s victories underscoring its growing influence in digital culture and entertainment.
Raja’atu Muhammed Ibrahim, known as @diaryofanortherncook, from Sokoto, won the prestigious Creator of the Year Award, recognised for her cinematic storytelling of Northern Nigerian cuisine. Abuja-based Brian Nwana (@briannwana) clinched Storyteller of the Year, while Izzi Boye (@izziboye) was named Education Creator of the Year.
Other Nigerian winners included Belove Olocha (@beloveolocha) for Entertainment Creator of the Year, Dejoke Ogunbiyi (@noositiwantiwa_) for Social Impact Creator of the Year, and Crown Uzama, popularly known as Shallipopi (@theycallmeshallipopipp), who took home Artist of the Year.
Shallipopi, whose hit track “Laho” dominated African soundwaves in 2025, thanked TikTok for supporting upcoming artists and providing a platform to shine. “When Nigeria creates, the world moves,” he told fans during his acceptance speech.
TikTok’s Head of Content Operations for Sub-Saharan Africa, Boniswa Sidwaba, praised the winners, noting that Nigerian creators had redefined what it means to be a digital storyteller. “Tonight’s ceremony was a gathering of trailblazers who turned short video clips into cultural movements,” she said.
Other winners from across the continent included Tanzania’s Fanuel John Masamaki (@zerobrainer0), who won Video of the Year, Kenya’s @tunero_animations as Rising Star of the Year, South Africa’s @malumfoodie for Food Creator of the Year, and Kenya’s @zozasportscast for Sports Creator of the Year.
The ceremony, supported by brands such as NIVEA, Coca-Cola, PEP, inDrive and Dis-Chem, will be broadcast exclusively on TikTok LIVE on Dec. 11 at 19:00 WAT via the @tiktok.africa account.
MTN Nigeria has announced the winners of the 2025 Nigeria PachiPanda Challenge, a national innovation programme delivered in partnership with Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) through its local partner, the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Nigeria.
L – R: Promise Ogochukwu, OneGrid Energies; Emmanuel Ezea, OneGrid Energies, Lantana Elhassan, Head of Exploration, Accelerator Lab, UNDP Nigeria; Valentine Nnamani, OneGrid Energies; trio winner of the MTN 2025 Pachipanda Challenge, held at MTN RoofTop Plaza, Ikoyi.
The competition attracted over 2000 applications from young innovators across the country and concluded with a 3-day sprint event that featured masterclasses and pitch presentations at the MTN Rooftop Event Centre, Falomo, Ikoyi, Lagos. Ten finalists, comprising seven individuals and three teams, competed for top honours following a rigorous multi-stage screening process.
Team OneGrid Energies emerged overall winner for its solution that addresses energy access in underserved communities. The team of Emmanuel Ezea, Ogochukwu Ogene, and Valentine Nnamani upcycle plastic bottles and e-waste lithium ion batteries to create affordable lanterns for households without reliable electricity. The team also introduced smart solar-powered charging stations operated by rural women, creating economic opportunities and supporting environmental impact.
Joshua Ndaman secured second place with his innovative solution, BuyScrap, a tech-driven platform that streamlines the collection and recycling of electronic waste. By ensuring that discarded electronics are ethically reused and repurposed, BuyScrap supports a circular economy and provides a reliable link between households and processors in the e-waste value chain.
Divine Peter secured third place with HopeForge Engineering, an initiative that designs and produces affordable recycling equipment for green businesses using recyclable materials. His focus on automating traditional manual equipment aims to increase productivity and make sustainable tools more accessible for small and medium-sized enterpriOlayinkases.
The winners received ₦3,000,000, ₦2,000,000, and ₦1,500,000 respectively. They will now represent Nigeria at the Africa PachiPanda Challenge where they will compete against champions from across the continent.
Tobe Okigbo, Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer at MTN Nigeria, emphasised the importance of youth-led innovation in advancing climate action and community resilience. “Innovation should go beyond solving problems; it should be bankable and sustainable, ensuring long-term value for both society and the innovators themselves,” he noted.
Dr. Joseph Onoja, Director-General of NCF, praised the creativity of the finalists, stating, “Every finalist here is a winner, and we will continue to work with partners like MTN, UNDP, and WWF to nurture these ideas and build a better future for Nigeria.”
Representing UNDP Nigeria, Lantana Elhassan, Head of Exploration, Accelerator Lab, described the potential of the finalists’ solutions to inspire systemic change across Africa’s innovation landscape. She highlighted the role of tech tools in helping participants improve their prototypes and scale their solutions.
During the event week, finalists received tailored training through masterclass sessions that enhance their business skills and strengthened their solutions. Facilitators included Bankole Oloruntoba, CEO, Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre (NCIC); Chinwe Udo-Davis, Founder & CEO, Instollar; Nifemi Oluboyede, Chief Product Officer, Credit Direct; and Uche Aniche, Founder, Rebel Seed Capital & Convener, Startup South.
Judges comprised experts in sustainability and innovation including Dr. Tiwalade Adeniyi, Head of ESG, Solon; Dr. William Tsuma, Chief Innovation Officer, UNDP Nigeria; Maximus Ugwuoke, Country Director, Carbon Craft Africa; Peju Ibekwe, CEO, Sterling One Foundation; Temitope Okunnu, Founder, Fabe International; and Yewande Adeyi, Senior Manager, ESG Advisory Services, KPMG West Africa.
The Africa-wide finals will bring together leading innovators from across the continent to showcase their work to industry experts and investors.
For more information and updates on the winners’ journey, visit https://www.mtn.ng/sustainability or contact [email protected]
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