The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, SAN, has urged African countries to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a strategic tool for accelerating economic transformation, industrialisation, and sustainable development across the continent.
Speaking at the 7th Africa Emerging Markets Forum in Abuja, Udeh said Africa must transition from being a consumer of imported technologies to becoming a producer and commercialiser of home-grown innovations capable of driving long-term economic growth and global competitiveness.
Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, SAN, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology
Delivering the keynote address on the theme, “Artificial Intelligence, Innovation and Africa’s Economic Transformation in a Changing Global Economic Order,” the minister said the global economy is undergoing a major transformation in which nations’ competitiveness is increasingly defined by their ability to generate knowledge, develop technology, and convert scientific research into economic value.
He described Artificial Intelligence as a technological, productivity, and development revolution that presents Africa with a unique opportunity to fast-track industrialisation, boost productivity, and achieve inclusive economic growth.
Udeh said there could be no sustainable economic transformation without scientific and technological advancement, noting that AI has the capacity to transform key sectors, including agriculture, healthcare, education, manufacturing, finance, and public service delivery.
He also reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology to strengthening Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem through increased investment in research and development, technology transfer, commercialisation of indigenous research, and stronger collaboration among government, academia, industry, and the private sector in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The minister called on African governments to increase investment in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), digital literacy, AI skills, and technical education while expanding broadband infrastructure, cloud computing capacity, reliable electricity, and other critical digital infrastructure.
He further advocated deeper collaboration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to promote integrated digital markets, facilitate technology transfer, encourage cross-border innovation, and strengthen Africa’s position in the global digital economy.
While highlighting the opportunities offered by AI, Udeh cautioned against challenges such as labour market disruptions, cybersecurity risks, algorithmic bias, data governance concerns, and widening technological inequality.
He said addressing those challenges would require strong institutions, ethical governance frameworks, responsible innovation, and sound public policies that ensure technology promotes inclusive development and public trust.
The minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to work with African countries, development partners, academia, international institutions, and the private sector to advance science, technology, innovation, and Artificial Intelligence as drivers of prosperity, resilience, and sustainable development.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria said Africa’s future would be determined not by the technologies it imports but by the innovations it creates, the institutions it strengthens, and the investments it makes in knowledge, urging leaders across the continent to seize the opportunities presented by AI to drive lasting economic transformation.