The Evolution and Potential of AI in Nigeria: A New Dawn

Since the 1950s, when MIT computer scientist John McCarthy coined the term “artificial intelligence,” AI has evolved significantly. Today, AI is integrated into numerous aspects of our digital lives, from web crawlers to humanoid robots capable of mimicking human expression and speech.

In Africa, and specifically Nigeria, AI development is still in its early stages due to several challenges, including inadequate infrastructure and socio-economic barriers. However, Africa is not sitting idle. As early as 2008, South African company BrandsEye utilized a mix of search algorithms, crowdsourcing, and machine learning to analyze online sentiment. In 2009, Egyptian startup Affectiva, founded by Rana El Kaliouby, began using emotion recognition technology to detect moods through facial expressions, raising $34 million in venture capital to date.

AI in Nigeria: Slow but Steady Progress

Nigeria is gradually warming up to AI. Data Science Nigeria, a non-profit led by Bayo Adekanmbi, recently launched the country’s first AI-focused hub at the University of Lagos. Several AI-focused startups are also emerging with innovative solutions. Traditional entities like Diamond Bank and United Bank for Africa (UBA) have introduced AI-powered digital assistants (‘Ada’ and ‘Leo’, respectively). Additionally, significant investments by Google (with an AI hub in Ghana) and Facebook (through its NG_Hub in Lagos) underscore the rising importance of AI in the region.

The Ecosystem's Evolution

This growing interest in AI within Nigeria is fueled by an improving ecosystem. Investments are increasing, and AI-related skills are becoming more accessible through programs like Andela and Google’s ALC Udacity scholarship. Here are some startups making strides in the AI space:

Kudi.ai

Launched in January 2017 by Adeyinka Adewale and Pelumi Aboluwarin, Kudi.ai uses AI to facilitate financial transactions on platforms like Facebook Messenger, Slack, and Telegram. An early adopter of Kudi.ai, I found it to be one of the quickest ways to handle payments and other financial transactions in Nigeria. The startup was part of the Y Combinator Winter 2017 batch.

Lara.ng

Navigating Lagos can be challenging due to its dense population and notorious traffic. Lara.ng, launched in March 2017 by Samuel Adeoye, Nnamdi Nwanze, and Ladi Ojora, is a chatbot that provides turn-by-turn directions and fare estimates for transportation within Lagos. It uses AI to offer conversational directions for various transport modes, making it easier to get around the bustling city.

Ubenwa

Founded by Canada-based Charles Onu, Ubenwa is an AI system that analyzes a baby’s cries to detect signs of asphyxia, the third highest cause of infant mortality worldwide. The solution has achieved 95% accuracy in trials with nearly 1,400 pre-recorded baby cries and is undergoing further trials at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital and McGill University Health Centre in Canada.

Touchable

Co-founded by Gabriel Eze, Chukwuemeka Ihedoro, Mohamed Farah, and Peter Chibunna in 2017, Touchabl uses AI-based image recognition to identify objects within pictures. Known as the "Shazam for pictures," Touchabl's core algorithms took six years to develop. The startup, available in 10 languages, recently raised $20,000 in funding.

Overcoming Challenges

Despite the progress, Nigeria still faces significant challenges in AI adoption, including inadequate educational resources and infrastructure. No Nigerian educational institutions currently offer AI courses, and local developers are often self-taught or foreign-trained. Infrastructure issues such as unreliable power, high internet costs, and lack of supportive government policies also hinder AI development. Moreover, socio-cultural barriers exist, with customers often mistrusting new technologies like AI.

The Future of AI in Nigeria

The potential for AI to address many of Nigeria’s problems is vast. From enhancing manufacturing processes to recognizing trends in large datasets and predicting financial outcomes, AI applications could profoundly impact various sectors. The ecosystem must continue to foster an enabling environment through investment, support, and proactive policies to ensure AI's growth and success.