Nigeria has been ranked the highest-performing country in Africa for responsible artificial intelligence (AI), climbing 42 places in the latest Global Index on Responsible AI (GIRAI).
The country moved from 80th position in 2024 to 38th globally, earning a score of 45.93 and overtaking Egypt and Kenya to claim the continent’s top spot.
The recognition comes as African nations compete to attract AI investment and talent. AI is projected to contribute $1.2 trillion to Africa’s economy by 2030, increasing the continent’s GDP by an estimated 5.6%.
Published by the Global Center on AI Governance (GIRAI), an independent research and policy think tank based in Cape Town, the index evaluates 135 countries across five key areas: inclusion and diversity, ethics and sustainability, labour and skills, trust and safety, and the use of AI in public services.
The latest ranking reflects growing global efforts to establish governance frameworks that keep pace with the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence.
According to the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI, global corporate investment in AI surged from approximately $200 billion in 2023 to $581.7 billion in 2025, while more than half of the world’s population has now used generative AI tools.
Despite this rapid growth, responsible AI governance remains a challenge worldwide. The GIRAI report found that the average global score stands at just 35 out of 100, with only 55% of countries that have adopted responsible AI frameworks showing evidence of implementation. That figure falls to 45% across countries in the Global South.
Nigeria’s strong performance has been credited to deliberate government efforts to strengthen the country’s AI ecosystem.
According to the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Nigeria has accelerated the implementation of its National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (NAIS), expanded digital public infrastructure, invested in digital skills development, strengthened governance frameworks for emerging technologies, and deepened international partnerships to promote responsible AI adoption.
Reacting to the ranking, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, described the achievement as a reflection of Nigeria’s commitment to building an AI ecosystem that is inclusive, responsible, and aligned with national development goals.
He said the government’s focus remains on developing the infrastructure, talent, and policy environment needed for AI to create economic opportunities and improve the lives of Nigerians.
Beyond the overall rankings, the report recognised Nigeria as a global “Bright Spot” for combining AI skills development with safeguards for children and other vulnerable groups.
It noted that Nigeria is among the few African countries actively preparing its citizens for an AI-driven future while strengthening protections against the risks associated with emerging technologies.
The report highlighted initiatives under the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, including AI literacy programmes, teacher training, and nationwide capacity-building efforts.
It also recognised the Federal Government’s 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme for providing structured AI and machine learning training through a hybrid learning model designed to reach young people across the country.
On the regulatory front, the report cited the Nigeria Data Protection Act and the General Application and Implementation Directive (GAID) 2025 for introducing stronger safeguards for children’s personal data, including parental consent requirements and limits on decisions made solely through automated systems.
According to the report, these measures demonstrate that AI adoption can be advanced alongside strong protections for digital rights and citizen privacy.
Nigeria’s latest achievement builds on earlier progress in global AI assessments. In January, the country climbed 31 places in the Oxford Insights Government AI Readiness Index, moving from 103rd to 72nd globally, reflecting improvements in AI policy, governance, and institutional readiness.
The GIRAI report also highlighted broader progress across developing economies. Since the index was first introduced, countries in the Global South have expanded the number of responsible AI issues covered by national policies by 83%, compared with 35% among developed nations. However, the report noted that many of these frameworks remain non-binding, underscoring the need to translate policy commitments into effective implementation.