How India’s first global south AI summit could reshape Nigeria’s AI ambitions

India is set to host the India–AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi from February 19 to 20, a landmark event that will, for the first time, place the Global South at the heart of global artificial intelligence governance.

The event was announced by Narendra Modi, Indian Prime Minister, at the France AI Action Summit and seen as a strategic effort to rebalance global AI governance, traditionally dominated by advanced economies.

With its theme drawn from the Sanskrit maxim “Sarvajana Hitaya, Sarvajana Sukhaya”, welfare for all, happiness for all, the summit underscores a vision of artificial intelligence as a shared tool for inclusive development rather than an exclusive preserve of technologically advanced nations.

For Nigeria and other African countries, the summit presents a significant opportunity to influence emerging global AI norms while exploring practical partnerships that align technology with development priorities.

According to a statement by Abhishek Singh, the High Commissioner of India to Nigeria, the India–AI Impact Summit goes beyond being a conventional gathering of technology leaders and policymakers.

“Instead, it is designed to confront the real-world challenges posed by the rapid expansion of AI, including potential job displacement, data sovereignty concerns, and the widening digital divide between nations.

“India’s approach, which emphasises the democratisation of AI and the expansion of access to developing countries, holds particular relevance for Nigeria, where policymakers, entrepreneurs and researchers are increasingly seeking cost-effective and scalable AI solutions to support economic growth and public service delivery.

“At the core of the summit is an inclusive philosophy structured around three foundational pillars, referred to as the Three Sutras, guiding principles that shape the summit’s agenda”, the statement read.

Singh noted that the People Sutra frames AI as a tool for human progress that respects cultural diversity, protects human dignity and ensures inclusivity in both its design and deployment.

“The Planet Sutra emphasises environmentally responsible AI development, a priority for countries across Africa that are already facing the impacts of climate change.

“The Progress Sutra focuses on using AI to drive economic growth, social good and job creation through broader access and innovation.

“These principles are further operationalised through seven interlinked ‘Chakras’, or spheres of cooperation, covering human capital development, social inclusion, safe and trusted AI, resilience, scientific advancement, democratisation of AI resources and sustainable economic growth”, Singh said.

According to him, a central message of the summit is that AI infrastructure should be treated as a shared development enabler, not a monopoly controlled by a few global players. This vision is anchored in the IndiaAI Mission, which aims to build large-scale public AI infrastructure and make it accessible to partner countries.

The approach, he said, mirrors India’s earlier success in sharing digital public goods such as the Aadhaar biometric identity system and the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), which transformed financial inclusion and digital transactions.

“For Nigeria, this model could lower barriers for developers, startups and public institutions by reducing dependence on costly proprietary software and expensive foreign computing services, opening space for local innovation and deployment of AI solutions.

“The summit will spotlight concrete AI applications in sectors critical to development, including agriculture, healthcare, education, energy and climate resilience.

“Proposed use cases range from improving crop yields for smallholder farmers and accelerating disease detection in under-resourced clinics, to personalised digital learning tools, smarter power-grid management and enhanced disaster early-warning systems.

“These focus areas closely align with Nigeria’s policy objectives, including climate-smart agriculture, AI-assisted diagnostics in primary healthcare centres and the strengthening of digital systems that support social services delivery”, the Ambassador added.

He also disclosed that the India–AI Impact Summit is designed as an action-oriented platform.

He said it will culminate in tangible outcomes, including a Leaders’ Declaration and frameworks for multilateral cooperation, setting it apart from previous AI-focused gatherings that largely centred on dialogue alone.