Microsoft has announced a $1 million (N1.6 billion) investment in Nigeria over the next two years to strengthen the country’s artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities.
Ola Williams, Microsoft’s Managing Director for Nigeria and Ghana, made the announcement at the AI Nigeria Tour in Lagos.
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Williams, who was joined by the President of Microsoft Africa, Lilian Bernard, said the investment was aimed at positioning Nigeria as a leading AI hub in Africa.
The initiative includes training one million Nigerians in AI and other emerging technologies while supporting job creation, with more than 70 million new jobs projected globally.
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The investment aligns with Nigeria’s draft National AI Strategy, which seeks to equip 70% of the young workforce with AI-related skills.
According to Microsoft, Nigeria’s AI market is expected to grow by 27.08% annually from 2025 to 2030, contributing an estimated $15 billion to the country’s GDP by 2030.
Through its AI Skilling program, Microsoft will offer digital, AI, and cybersecurity training to youth, women, business leaders, and public sector executives, reaffirming its commitment to driving digital transformation and economic growth in Nigeria.
“At Microsoft, we believe that AI has the potential to transform economies and societies. Our commitment to enhancing AI skills in Nigeria is a testament to our dedication to empowering individuals and organisations to achieve more,” Williams said.
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“By investing in digital skills training and collaborating with the Nigerian government, we aim to create a future-ready workforce that can drive innovation and economic growth in the country.”
The investment aligns with the Nigerian government’s priorities to drive economic growth, promote social inclusion, support industrialisation, advance technology, and boost digital and creative enterprises, she continued.
It will also provide citizens, developers, and business leaders with greater access to Microsoft’s skilling resources, encouraging wider adoption of AI and cloud technologies across the country.
“The launch of this AI skilling initiative for Nigeria is not just about individual advancement, but more importantly about uplifting entire communities. We believe that by democratising access to AI education, we are creating a more equitable digital future for all,” Williams stated.
Microsoft said in support of Nigeria’s draft National AI Strategy, which aimed to equip 70% of its young workforce with AI-related skills, there is a $1 million skilling investment through its AI Skilling.
The initiative, in collaboration with the Nigerian Government, will provide in-demand AI skills training for one million Nigerians.
“At Microsoft, we believe that AI has the potential to transform economies and societies. Our commitment to enhancing AI skills in Nigeria is a testament to our dedication to empowering individuals and organisations to achieve more,” Williams remarked.
She said this comprehensive strategic initiative to enhance AI skills in Nigeria is a significant investment that showcases Microsoft’s commitment to advancing digital skills and AI capabilities in Nigeria.
Microsoft began its investment in skills development in Nigeria in 2021 in partnership with the Government of Nigeria to upskill Nigerians via the 3MTT platform.
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The company added that by the start of 2024, four million Nigerians had interacted with the platform.
RN