Nigeria has emerged as Africa’s highest-ranked country in the latest Global Index on Responsible AI (GIRAI), climbing 42 places to 38th globally from 80th in the inaugural 2024 ranking.
The country ranked first in Africa with an overall score of 45.93, ahead of Egypt, which came second on the continent.
The Global Index on Responsible AI, published by the Global Center on AI Governance, measures how well countries are preparing to develop and use artificial intelligence (AI) responsibly.
It assesses areas such as AI ethics, digital skills, public services, safety, and inclusion.
Nigeria’s improved ranking reflects recent efforts by the federal government to strengthen AI policy, expand digital infrastructure, and invest in technology skills.
The Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy has introduced initiatives such as the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (NAIS), expanded digital infrastructure, and launched programmes to develop technology talent and encourage the responsible use of AI.
Bosun Tijani, minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, said the ranking reflects Nigeria’s commitment to building an AI ecosystem that supports innovation and economic growth while ensuring responsible use of the technology.
“This recognition is a testament to Nigeria’s deliberate efforts to build an AI ecosystem that is inclusive, responsible, and aligned with our development priorities.
We believe that Africa must not only participate in the AI revolution but also contribute meaningfully to shaping how these technologies are governed and deployed globally,” Tijani said.
The report also recognised Nigeria as a global “Bright Spot” for promoting AI literacy and strengthening online protections for children and other vulnerable groups.
It highlighted the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy for promoting AI education and skills development, as well as the Federal Government’s 3 Million Technical Talents (3MTT) programme, which provides training in AI and machine learning to young Nigerians.
The report also cited Nigeria’s data protection laws, including the Nigeria Data Protection Act and the General Application and Implementation Directive (GAID) 2025, for improving safeguards around children’s personal data.
The latest ranking adds to Nigeria’s recent gains in global AI assessments. Earlier this year, the country moved up 31 places in the Oxford Insights Government AI Readiness Index, rising from 103rd to 72nd globally.
The latest GIRAI ranking signals Nigeria’s growing ambition to become a leading centre for responsible AI development in Africa while using technology to improve public services, create jobs and support economic growth.
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