Recently, the Chinese startup DeepSeek unveiled its latest artificial intelligence (AI) model, R1, at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
The model has been reported to outperform existing AI systems, causing a massive impact in global markets. Within a single day, over $1 trillion was wiped out from the U.S. stock market, highlighting the immense economic and strategic importance of China’s AI breakthrough.
This development holds significant implications for Nigeria, as we face growing challenges in adapting to the AI revolution.
China’s AI success didn’t happen overnight. It’s the result of decades of strategic investments, government support, and a clear focus on self-reliance.
As China rapidly challenges the U.S.’s dominance in AI, Nigeria must ask itself: What lessons can we learn from this? How can Nigeria ensure it doesn’t fall behind in the AI race?
In this article, we will explore how Nigeria can build its own AI ecosystem by learning from China’s experiences and adapting policies, infrastructure, and industry strategies to position the country for success in the age of artificial intelligence.
Building Local AI Technology: A Path to Independence
China wasn’t always a leader in AI. The country depended on the U.S. and Europe for advanced technology for years.
However, when the U.S. imposed restrictions on Chinese companies by blocking access to semiconductor chips and high-performance computing, China invested in domestic AI development.
Today, companies like Huawei, Alibaba, Tencent, and Baidu are developing cutting-edge AI systems that rival the best in the world.
Where Nigeria Stands
Nigeria has a growing tech ecosystem, but its AI solutions largely depend on foreign platforms like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, and Meta’s Llama. Many Nigerian startups are more consumers than creators in the AI space.
However, there are some noteworthy initiatives:
Data Science Nigeria (DSN) Trains thousands of AI professionals and builds local solutions for education and healthcare.
Chowberry An AI-powered platform helping reduce food waste by connecting retailers with consumers seeking discounted products.
Ubenwa Uses deep learning to analyze babies’ cries and detect early signs of birth asphyxia, saving newborn lives.
For Nigeria to lead in AI, we need to focus on:
Investment in AI research at universities and tech hubs.
Collaboration between the government and private sector to create AI-powered industries.
Developing local computing infrastructure to train AI models without reliance on foreign cloud services.
Government Policy: Catalyzing AI Growth
China’s rise in AI is largely the result of deliberate government policies. In 2017, China launched its National AI Development Plan, aiming to be the global AI leader by 2030.
The Chinese government allocated billions of dollars to support AI research, startups, and university programs, while simultaneously creating a policy environment that encouraged AI innovation with minimal legal restrictions.
Where Nigeria Stands
Nigeria has made some progress toward establishing a national AI framework. The National Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) under the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has published a draft National AI Strategy outlining principles and objectives for AI development from 2024 to 2028.
However, several key challenges remain such as lack of dedicated AI funding for research and development, weak collaboration between universities and the private sector on AI innovation and the absence of AI-focused regulations that foster local startups while ensuring ethical AI use.
Lessons from China
To compete in the global AI race, Nigeria must act swiftly by:
1.Developing a National AI Strategy: The government should create a comprehensive AI strategy that outlines clear goals for AI research and industry growth.
2. Allocating AI research funds to universities and tech hubs: Investing in AI research will foster innovation and build a skilled workforce.
3. Encouraging public-private partnerships: Strengthening collaboration between the government and private sector is key to developing AI-powered industries and creating new economic opportunities.
Taking Control of Data: A Strategic Resource
AI systems rely heavily on data, and the more data an AI model has, the smarter it becomes.
China’s strict data policies ensure that most of its AI training data remains within the country, enabling companies to build models that reflect Chinese culture, language, and economy.
Where Nigeria Stands
Nigeria’s data infrastructure remains weak. Much of our data is stored on foreign servers operated by companies based in the U.S. and Europe.
This raises concerns about Nigeria’s data sovereignty. For example, many Nigerian businesses and banks store their data on services like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud, or Microsoft Azure, which gives foreign companies access to Nigerian data.
Lessons from China
To build strong, localized AI models, Nigeria should:
1. Invest in local data centers: Establishing local data centers is essential to process data quickly, securely, and in compliance with national laws.
2. Strengthen data protection laws; Enacting robust data protection laws will safeguard citizens’ data and protect it from misuse by foreign entities.
3. Develop localized AI models: AI systems must be designed to understand Nigerian languages, cultures, and industries. This includes building models capable of processing indigenous languages and addressing local business needs.
Using AI to Solve Nigeria’s Biggest Challenges
China uses AI for a variety of applications—from improving healthcare to enhancing farming and optimizing transport systems.
Where Nigeria Stands
Nigeria faces a wide range of challenges, such as unemployment, healthcare shortages, and food insecurity, where AI could be a transformative tool.
Nigerian companies are already using AI in innovative ways. For example:
Lifebank Uses AI to track blood donations and deliver life-saving blood to hospitals.
Farmcrowdy Uses AI to predict weather patterns and help farmers improve crop yields.
Kuda Bank: Leverages AI-driven financial tools to help customers manage their finances.
How AI Can Solve Nigeria’s Key Challenges
1. Healthcare: AI can improve diagnostics, predict outbreaks, and optimize treatment plans, especially in remote areas where medical expertise is limited.
2. Agriculture: AI can help optimize farming practices, predict crop yields, monitor plant health, and improve farming efficiency.
3. Education: AI can support personalized learning, assist teachers with administrative tasks, and bridge gaps in access to education, especially in rural areas.
4. Security: AI can enhance public safety through predictive policing, surveillance, and anomaly detection.
5. Energy: AI can optimize energy distribution and consumption, addressing Nigeria’s power supply challenges.
6. Transport: AI can improve traffic management, reduce congestion, and enhance road safety.
7. Economic Development: AI can drive innovation in sectors like fintech, retail, and manufacturing, creating new opportunities and boosting economic growth.
Conclusion
By leveraging AI to solve critical challenges, Nigeria can accelerate its development and improve key sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, education, and energy.
With strategic investment in research, infrastructure, and policies—along with a focus on local AI development and data sovereignty—Nigeria can become a leader in the AI space, ensuring that the country is not left behind in the global AI race.
