A new global assessment on artificial intelligence (AI) preparedness has placed Nigeria in 72nd position worldwide, highlighting both progress and significant gaps in the nation's technological advancement. The 2025 Government AI Readiness Index, compiled by the research firm Oxford Insights, also reveals Nigeria as the fourth most ready country in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), trailing behind regional leaders Kenya, South Africa, and Mauritius.
Africa's AI Landscape: Egypt Leads, SSA Makes Strides
The comprehensive index, which evaluates 195 governments using 69 indicators across six key areas, shows that Egypt is the continent's frontrunner, securing the 51st spot globally. In total, 11 African nations, including Nigeria, made it into the top 100. Other notable performers are Rwanda and Ethiopia, which have actively established innovation hubs to attract AI investment and launch new initiatives.
The report notes that Sub-Saharan Africa has shown commendable improvement in two specific pillars: Governance, which examines how AI is explored and regulated, and Development and Diffusion, measuring human capital and sector maturity. For these areas, the continent ranked eighth out of nine global regions. However, Oxford Insight cautioned that critical weaknesses persist, particularly in AI infrastructure and public sector adoption, which are vital for widespread implementation.
Nigeria's Mixed Performance and Strategic Moves
Despite its overall 72nd ranking, Nigeria exhibits strengths in specific domains. The country broke into the global top 50 for Development and Diffusion, claiming the 49th position. Its performance was even stronger in Policy Capacity, where it ranked an impressive 35th globally. This leap is attributed to increased domestic investment in AI, the launch of detailed policy documents, and a clear commitment to international collaboration.
The report praised Nigeria's recently published AI strategy, which includes a detailed roadmap with both long and short-term actionable goals. Similarly, countries like Zambia and Mauritius are refining implementation plans, with Mauritius integrating AI into its digital transformation blueprint.
Meanwhile, at the 50th Convocation Ceremony of the University of Jos, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, made a significant announcement. He revealed the Federal Government's plan to establish the country's first National AI Centre of Excellence, which will be situated within the University of Jos campus.
Ethical Frameworks and Regional Leaders
The index also sheds light on the continent's growing engagement with the ethical and security dimensions of AI. While the African Union's strategy emphasises caution, and 14 SSA countries are developing AI ethics principles, only Namibia has published a formal set of guidelines. Furthermore, just four nations include a detailed risk assessment methodology in their plans, with Kenya being the sole African member of the International Network of AI Safety Institutes.
Kenya continues to solidify its position as the continent's innovation and startup epicentre. In 2024 alone, Kenyan startups secured $638 million in funding, accounting for nearly 29% of all capital raised across Africa. Both Kenya and Ghana are noted for building well-rounded AI innovation ecosystems, with Kenya ranking a notable 22nd globally for AI Resilience.
The findings underscore a continent at a pivotal moment. While nations like Nigeria are formulating ambitious policies and creating specialised institutions like the UNIJOS centre, the journey towards competitive AI readiness requires sustained investment in foundational infrastructure and tangible public sector projects to bridge the existing gaps.
