- Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala advocates decentralised electricity supply in Nigeria to drive AI adoption.
- She calls for increased investment in ICT infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, and digital literacy to unlock AI’s potential.
- Okonjo-Iweala stresses the importance of AI regulations to protect data sovereignty and security.
Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), has urged Nigeria to decentralise its electricity supply to promote Artificial Intelligence (AI) development.
At the 10th convocation ceremony of the African University of Science and Technology (AUST) in Abuja, Okonjo-Iweala emphasised that reliable power is crucial for internet access and AI adoption. She pointed out that Nigeria and other African nations face power outages that hinder progress in both areas.
“Power outages and constant interruptions might prove a more challenging constraint in Nigeria and other African countries to internet access and AI adoption than anything else,” she said.
Okonjo-Iweala proposed that each production, consumption, and education unit establish its own power supply using renewable energy sources. She noted that renewable energy has become more affordable and is now a feasible option.
She praised AUST for conducting feasibility studies on hydro and solar energy to power its campus. The university’s efforts align with her vision for decentralised electricity systems.
The WTO Director-General also emphasised the need for regulations to govern AI. She cautioned that unregulated AI could threaten data security and sovereignty. “Relying on AI-driven systems could pose challenges to data sovereignty and security,” she stated.
Okonjo-Iweala called for increased investment in Nigeria’s ICT infrastructure. She explained that these investments are essential for the country to fully leverage AI technologies.
“For people in Nigeria and across the continent to fully harness the gains from AI, we need investments,” she said. “We need investments in basic infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, digital literacy, and upskilling our young people.”
She also highlighted the importance of creating a supportive business ecosystem to maximise AI’s potential. Okonjo-Iweala believes these measures will help Nigeria unlock AI’s economic benefits.
Okonjo-Iweala’s remarks emphasise the need for coordinated action to improve African power supply and digital infrastructure. She reiterated that these efforts will be vital for the continent’s AI future.
Her comments come as AI technology advances rapidly worldwide while African nations struggle to catch up due to infrastructure challenges. Okonjo-Iweala’s call for decentralised power solutions offers a potential path forward, which could help close the digital divide in Nigeria and beyond.
In conclusion, Okonjo-Iweala called for collective action. She said, “We must invest in our youth, infrastructure, and regulatory frameworks to ensure that AI serves as a tool for progress, not a barrier to it.”