In a move set to accelerate Nigeria’s growing tech landscape, the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), in partnership with Google, has unveiled a ₦100 million fund to empower AI-driven startups.
Announced by the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, on September 10, 2024, the fund aims to support 10 Nigerian startups leveraging artificial intelligence in their technology solutions.
This initiative underscores Nigeria’s ambition to position itself as a hub for AI innovation in Africa. It also reflects the government's strategy to involve the public sector in shaping future technologies. As Dr. Tijani put it, "If we get it right in the public sector, it will permeate the private sector,” highlighting the transformative potential of AI across the country.
The initiative aligns with Google’s broader vision for digital transformation in Africa, strengthening its commitment to AI and innovation on the continent. As part of this program, each selected startup will receive ₦10 million in funding, mentorship, access to Google’s AI tools, and a global network of experts.
Olumide Balogun, Google’s West Africa Director, emphasized the company's role in bolstering digital capabilities across the region. The fund comes at a time when Google is also supporting five Nigerian startups in its Google for Startups Accelerator Africa program, further cementing its partnership with Nigeria's tech ecosystem.
Eligible startups, required to have Nigerian founders and a demonstrated market presence, can apply for the program from September 10 to 25, 2024, with winners expected to be announced in October.