Nigeria has taken a major step forward in tech-driven development with the launch of a $500,000 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Scaling Hub, supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
The initiative, led by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, was unveiled in Abuja during a formal MoU signing between Minister Dr. Bosun Tijani and Mr. Bill Gates.
The hub is designed to scale AI-powered solutions that can transform key sectors like healthcare, agriculture, and education—areas that directly impact small businesses and underserved communities.
Dr. Tijani said the AI Scaling Hub will drive collaboration among innovators, public sector players, and private enterprises to develop and deploy AI solutions that solve real problems.
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"This is about identifying and scaling ideas that improve lives and unlock business opportunities," he noted.
The Gates Foundation's Nigeria Country Director, Uche Amaonwu, emphasized the importance of local talent in delivering impact. Lagos Business School will serve as a key implementation partner.
For small business owners, especially in agriculture and education, this initiative could open doors to AI tools that increase productivity, improve decision-making, and enhance service delivery.
