National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has rallied Nigeria and other African countries to step up developmental activities to champion the growth of artificial intelligence (AI) in the region.

NITDA Director General, Kashifu Inuwa, who disclosed this, urged industry leaders across the continent to integrate AI into their business, organisational and operational models to unlock new opportunities, redefine leadership, and drive smarter decision-making toward making Africa deeply rooted in AI-driven innovation.

Inuwa spoke on “Harnessing AI for Strategic Leadership” during a panel session at the Main Stage of the GITEX Africa 2025 in Marrakech, Morocco.

The session aimed to explore how data-driven and intelligence-led strategies could transform business models, optimise resources and unlock new opportunities through AI-powered processes across various nations.

Speaking to an international audience of policymakers, technologists, and investors, the DG identified Africa, particularly Nigeria, as a rising force in the global AI landscape, championing a people-first and strategy-led approach to AI development and governance.

The panel session had other speakers, who shared their experiences and insightful ideas, including the Special Envoy on Technology, Republic of Kenya, Philip Thigo; CEO Pesalink, Gituku Kirika; and the Head of Africa, Open AI, Emmanuel Lubanzadio.

Envisioning Africa’s AI future in the next five years, Inuwa painted a visionary picture where the continent would integrate AI into solving real-world challenges in every economic sector, thereby leapfrogging development gaps.