1
As the artificial Intelligence (AI) reshapes global economies, questions around equity, ownership, and long-term impact have become central to Africa’s digital future. With Nigeria positioning itself as a leader in AI and digital transformation, the UAE’s “AI for Development” initiative has sparked both interest and scrutiny. In this interview with H.E. Sultan Al Shamsi, the UAE’s Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs for Development and International Organization, and Vice Chairman of the UAE Aid Agency, we explore how the proposed partnership intends to move beyond traditional investment models, focusing instead on local capacity building, regulatory alignment, technology localization, and measurable development outcomes that place Nigerian institutions and citizens at the center of the transformation.
Nigerians have heard big investment promises before… what specifically distinguishes the UAE’s AI investment in Africa from previous initiatives whose local impact was limited?
The UAE’s investment in the “AI for Development” initiative stands out as a development-oriented, impact-driven investment, not merely technical funding or general pledges. The initiative was designed from the start to link AI to the national development priorities of beneficiary countries through applied projects in government services, health, education, agriculture, and digital infrastructure, with a focus on local ownership and capacity building.
The initiative also relies on a comprehensive UAE ecosystem that combines development finance, operational expertise, and government partnerships, rather than short-term investment models. Projects are implemented in direct coordination with national governments to ensure measurable and sustainable impact.
What is the size of this AI investment specifically allocated to Nigeria, and which sectors are expected to benefit first, such as fintech, healthcare, security, agriculture, or public services?
Nigeria is among the priority countries under the “AI for Development” initiative due to its population and economic weight, its pivotal role in West Africa, and its clear ambitions in the digital economy. The initiative does not follow a rigid country-by-country distribution; funding is allocated flexibly according to national project readiness and Nigerian government priorities. The sectors expected to benefit first include government services and digital transformation, fintech and financial inclusion, digital health, smart agriculture, public data systems, and digital infrastructure, ensuring a direct impact on citizens’ lives and economic growth.
What safeguards are in place to ensure that Nigeria is not just a data source for AI systems developed and controlled outside the country?
All projects are implemented in partnership with national government entities and in accordance with local legal and regulatory frameworks in Nigeria, including data protection and privacy laws. The initiative emphasizes building local capacity in data management and model development, rather than merely using local data for external solutions. Supported projects are required to contribute to knowledge transfer and develop systems that can be operated and advanced locally over the long term.
Will this AI partnership translate into genuine skills transfer, such as creating local jobs, employing Nigerian engineers, and establishing research centers, or will it remain a capital-intensive investment with limited impact on local capacity development?
Human capital development is a core pillar of the initiative. Alongside funding technical solutions, the initiative includes accompanying programs for skills building, such as training local engineers and developers, supporting innovation and research centers, engaging universities and educational institutions, and creating jobs in project implementation and operation. The goal is to move from a “capital-intensive investment” model to a model focused on investing in people and national capacities.
How does the UAE plan to cooperate with regulatory bodies in Nigeria to address concerns related to data protection, oversight, and ethical AI use?
The UAE is committed to working closely with Nigerian regulators to ensure all projects comply with national legal frameworks, international AI ethics standards, privacy protection, and responsible technology use. The initiative leverages UAE experience in developing AI regulatory frameworks while respecting each country’s specific context and without imposing pre-set regulatory models.
Nigeria seeks to implement its own digital economy and AI strategy… how does the UAE initiative align with Nigeria’s national priorities instead of competing or conflicting with them?
The “AI for Development” initiative is designed to complement national strategies, not compete with them. In Nigeria’s case, the focus is on supporting stated goals in digital transformation, building a knowledge-based economy, and promoting local innovation. Projects are selected based on the Nigerian government’s priorities to ensure alignment with national policies and maximize local impact.
How will success be measured five years from now, from Nigeria’s perspective specifically, not just the UAE’s?
Success will be measured through clear development indicators, including improvements in the quality and efficiency of public services, the number of trained local personnel, localization of technologies and project sustainability after funding, AI contributions to economic growth, enhanced digital inclusion, and reduced gaps. The primary measure is the impact on Nigerian citizens and national institutions, not just the investment size.
Finally, what guarantees can be given to Nigerians that this AI investment will enhance national development and inclusion, rather than deepen digital dependency?
The UAE believes that sustainable development can only be achieved through empowerment, not dependence.
Therefore, the initiative focuses on building local capacity, knowledge transfer, supporting national ownership of projects, and strengthening long-term technical independence.
The initiative aims to make AI a tool that enables Nigeria to lead its digital trajectory, rather than being dependent on external control.
Read the full article here
