Microsoft said the deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) across various sectors holds huge potential for the economy. The General Manager of Microsoft Nigeria and Ghana, Abideen Yusuf, said Nigeria is well-positioned to move beyond “pockets of innovation” to become a major global player in AI, provided the right infrastructure and talent development strategies are in place.

Yusuf, in a recent article, emphasised that AI presents a transformative economic opportunity, with global projections estimating a $15 trillion contribution to the world economy by 2030. He noted that Nigeria, with its growing tech ecosystem and youthful population, has a unique chance to shift from being a consumer of AI solutions to becoming a producer of world-class AI technologies.

The Microsoft boss observed that Nigeria is already producing AI innovation, with the focus now on how to make the technology widely accessible across the country.

In Nigeria, he said, mobile Internet has spurred trailblazing enterprises like Jumia and Flutterwave, revolutionising business models and unlocking immense growth potential. He said AI promises to amplify this impact, creating ‘flywheel’ effects that will propel organisations into new realms of innovation and opportunity at an unprecedented pace.

Yusuf noted that given the transformative potential of AI, it is crucial to establish a robust foundation for its growth and integration. He said AI is developed on a tech stack similar to a building structure, starting from the bedrock of infrastructure like power and chips, and extending to the innovative applications that businesses and consumers use daily.

To nurture a vibrant AI ecosystem, Yusuf said it’s essential to begin with the infrastructure tier that forms the backbone of any advanced technological progress.

According to him, Lagos has already demonstrated Nigeria’s potential for innovation, serving as a leading tech hub with rapid growth in startups and venture capital.

However, Yusuf argued that national success will depend on building out essential infrastructure, such as reliable power and data centres, to support AI deployment across sectors.

Yusuf also stressed the importance of public-private partnerships to accelerate progress. He pointed to collaborations between government agencies and private organisations like Microsoft as vital to expanding digital ecosystems and unlocking the full potential of local data.

According to him, infrastructure alone is not enough; he said a skilled workforce is crucial to successfully adopting and deploying AI solutions.