Nigeria’s Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, said that inadequate power supply and lagging internet speeds continue to block the nation’s artificial‑intelligence targets. Speaking at the inaugural Africa AI Infrastructure conference, called Build 2026, he added that limited access to up‑to‑date chips and cloud services also hampers the AI roadmap.
**What organisations are behind Build 2026?**
The event is hosted by the AI Collective, a partnership that includes Lagos Business School, Data Science Nigeria at Pan‑Atlantic University, the Centre for Journalism, Innovation and Development, and the [National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Centre_for_Artificial_Intelligence_and_Robotics), an agency of the [Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Ministry_of_Communications_and_Digital_Economy_(Nigeria)). The Collective’s activities are coordinated by the Policy Innovation Centre.
**What did the minister say about chip supply?**
Represented at the conference by Dr Olubunmi Ajala, NCAIR’s National Director, the minister noted that NVIDIA releases new chip models every three to six months, leaving Nigeria perpetually a step behind. He explained, “If you look at the supply chain, hyperscalers have placed orders for two‑year‑ahead capacity that even chip makers may struggle to meet. Yet the persistent obstacle is the underlying infrastructure.”
**How is the government planning to address electricity gaps?**
To close the power deficit, the ministry proposes constructing a data park adjacent to Lagos’s Egbin Power Station. The minister said the site could tap roughly 60 % of unused generation capacity, creating a hub that serves both Nigeria and neighboring West African nations such as Togo.
**What perspective did industry leaders offer?**
Melanie Hui, CEO of Luminate, highlighted Africa’s youthful and expanding population, asserting that its diverse languages, cultures and social realities will be vital for future AI systems. She cautioned against treating people merely as data reservoirs, emphasizing that “data is more than oil; it embodies identities, behaviours, relationships and lives, and must be handled with dignity, consent, safety and the public good.”
**What are the strategic priorities of Build 2026?**
Dr Osasuyi Dirisu, Executive Director of the Policy Innovation Centre, said the conference arrives at a pivotal moment to push three core priorities – infrastructure, economics and digital sovereignty – that will shape Africa’s AI future and its role in the global AI ecosystem. He added, “Build 2026 offers a multi‑stakeholder platform to advance African priorities in global AI governance and foster partnerships that support an inclusive and competitive AI ecosystem across the continent.”