Have you ever wondered why some new technologies seem to catch on everywhere, but certain places are a little slower to adopt them? It’s easy to assume it’s just a lack of interest, but that’s rarely the full story. When it comes to something as powerful as artificial intelligence (AI), especially in a place like Nigeria, the reasons are often much bigger and more complicated than you might imagine. It’s not about a lack of smart people or great ideas; it’s about the building blocks.
Think of it like this: You have a fantastic new recipe for a cake that everyone wants to try. The recipe is super cool, and the results are amazing. But what if you don’t have a reliable oven, or the ingredients are incredibly expensive and hard to find? Even with the best recipe in the world, you’re going to have a tough time baking that cake. That’s pretty much the situation with AI in Nigeria. The desire and the know-how are there, but the fundamental pieces needed to make it work are still a challenge.
The biggest hurdle isn’t a lack of interest; it’s a lack of the right infrastructure. For AI to really take hold, businesses need to be “digitally enabled.” That means they need reliable internet, stable power, and a solid digital backbone. In Nigeria, the cost of these things is a major barrier. We’re talking about basic stuff like electricity. The cost of a steady power supply, whether from the grid, a generator, or solar, is rising. It’s a huge expense for any business, and it makes the already-high cost of setting up new AI systems even harder to manage.
Read also: AI is meant to guide journalists, not dominate their minds – Expert
So, while AI can make a business way more efficient and productive, the initial cost to get started is just too high for many companies. You need the technology to grow, but you need to be big enough to afford the technology in the first place.
More Than Just Money: Trust, Rules, and Getting It Right
It’s not just about the money, though. Businesses in Nigeria are also asking some really important questions about how AI fits into their world. One of the big ones is trust. Can a business truly rely on an AI system to handle important tasks? How do you find the right balance between the skills of your current employees and this new technology? This isn’t a small question. It’s about merging human experience with machine power.
Then there are the rules. This is a huge area of uncertainty. Companies are worried about things like data privacy and data protection. There are different rules and systems coming from all over the world like the U.S., Europe, China, and it’s not always clear which ones apply or how to follow them. No one wants to get in trouble, but at the same time, no one wants to see these new rules block innovation. It’s a tricky path to walk. Businesses are basically in a holding pattern, waiting for clearer guidelines before they fully commit. They don’t want to invest a ton of time and money only to find out they are not following the right regulations.
The Path Forward: What Needs to Happen Next
The good news is that the experts know what’s needed to fix this. A report from a non-profit think tank, the Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa, points to a clear solution. To unlock the full potential of AI and help Nigerian businesses really thrive, there needs to be a big push from the government and other organisations to support and invest in infrastructure.
Read also: AI-enabled tutoring in Nigeria condensed 2 years learning into 6 weeks – IFC
Here are some of the key things that could make a huge difference:
Lowering the Cost of Doing Business: If the government and its partners can help companies get access to reliable and affordable power and digital tools, it would immediately make it easier to adopt new technology. This is about building the foundation.
Creating Clear Rules: Businesses need certainty. A clear, well-defined regulatory framework that protects people’s data but also encourages new ideas would go a long way. It would remove a lot of the fear and hesitation that’s holding companies back.
Encouraging Collaboration: Finding a way for businesses to combine their existing knowledge and staff with new AI tools is critical. This isn’t about replacing people; it’s about giving them new, powerful tools to work with.
Ultimately, the story of AI in Nigeria is a great example of how technology doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It needs the right environment to grow and flourish. It’s not just about having the latest tech; it’s about having the basic, reliable systems in place that allow that tech to do its job. With the right support and investment, Nigeria could absolutely become a leader in this space, using AI to boost its economy and create new opportunities. It’s just a matter of building the right foundation first.
