Nigeria has emerged as Africa’s leading country in the 2026 Global Index on Responsible Artificial Intelligence, climbing 42 places to rank 38th globally from its 80th position in 2024. The latest ranking places Nigeria ahead of Egypt and Kenya, reinforcing its growing reputation as a destination for AI innovation, talent and investment.
Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, described the achievement as a significant endorsement of Nigeria’s efforts to build an inclusive and responsible AI ecosystem. He said the country’s recognition as a global “Bright Spot” for AI literacy reflects the impact of initiatives such as the National AI Strategy and the Federal Government’s 3 Million Technical Talent programme, adding that the Tinubu administration remains committed to using artificial intelligence to drive innovation and economic growth.
The ranking was published by the Global Center on AI Governance, a Cape Town based research and policy think tank, which assessed 135 countries across five pillars, including ethics, inclusion, labour and skills, trust and safety, and AI use in public services. While the report noted that AI adoption is accelerating globally, it observed that governance capacity remains weak in many countries, particularly across the Global South.
The report identified Nigeria as one of the few African countries combining AI skills development with stronger regulatory safeguards. It highlighted the 3 Million Technical Talent programme as well as the Nigeria Data Protection Act and the General Application and Implementation Directive 2025 for strengthening data protection, particularly for children, as Africa positions to benefit from the projected 1.2 trillion dollar contribution of AI to the continent’s economy by 2030.