Nigeria and African Union explore expanded cooperation on digital infrastructure and AI development

By:  Nana Appiah Acquaye

Nigeria has held high-level discussions with the African Union Commission on strengthening continental collaboration in digital infrastructure development, artificial intelligence capacity building, and regional policy coordination.

The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, met with the African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, H.E. Lerato Mataboge, at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, where both parties explored opportunities for deeper cooperation on strategic digital initiatives.

Central to the discussions was Nigeria’s $2 billion Project BRIDGE, an open-access fibre optic infrastructure initiative aimed at expanding connectivity across the country and supporting broader regional digital integration. The talks included consideration of the project’s energy component, which is expected to play a critical role in ensuring sustainable and reliable digital infrastructure deployment.

The meeting also focused on strengthening Africa’s artificial intelligence ecosystem, with emphasis on the development of shared computing infrastructure and increased investment in foundational digital capabilities required to support AI innovation across the continent.

Both parties further examined opportunities for enhanced collaboration to accelerate investment in digital infrastructure, improve connectivity, and stimulate innovation-driven economic growth across African economies.

Discussions also touched on preparations for the upcoming Specialised Technical Committee on Communication and ICT, where African policymakers are expected to advance a coordinated agenda on digital transformation.

In addition, the engagement addressed Africa’s participation in the International Telecommunication Union, with emphasis on the importance of a unified continental position ahead of the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference scheduled for 2026 in Doha, Qatar.

The meeting reaffirmed the importance of continental cooperation in building resilient digital foundations to support Africa’s long-term economic transformation and technological advancement.