Marrakech – If you strolled past Morocco World News’ booth on day one of GITEX Africa 2025 and spotted a bold green sign screaming “Nigeria”, and thought, “Wait, did I just cross the continent without knowing it?” — don’t worry, you’re not alone.
Here’s the deal.
Nigeria had a whole booth to itself — loud, proud, and ready to shine at Africa’s biggest tech event.
And guess what? NITDA (National Information Technology Development Agency) was there — and they talked to MWN about their very own NCAIR.
Welcome to the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), where the government isn’t just flirting with the future. It’s building it.
It’s not just about shiny robots or buzzwords like “blockchain” and “IoT.” It’s about national interest. And yes — finally — strategic thinking.
At first glance, NCAIR’s ultra-modern digital fabrication lab (FabLab) could pass for a tech startup’s dream office. But don’t let the aesthetics fool you.
This is a state-led project with real teeth. Its research areas read like a wish list for any forward-thinking economy; Natural Language Processing, Robotics, Machine Learning, Computer Vision, Health AI, Finance AI, Education AI, and even agricultural applications that could revolutionize how we grow and feed a nation.
But here’s what makes it even more compelling: NCAIR is co-located with the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI) — a deliberate move, showing that innovation isn’t a solo act.
It’s an ecosystem. And in Abuja, that ecosystem is starting to breathe.
So what happens when a Nigerian startup walks through NCAIR’s doors?
According to Wole Alao from NITDA’s Corporate Communications and Media Relations department, “The NCAIR is a special purpose vehicle and subsidiary of NITDA saddled with the responsibility of promoting indigenous innovative solutions, particularly in the startup ecosystem.”
“NITDA developed the Nigeria Startup Act to help regulate startups in the country and make them thrive in a globally competitive tech world. When a startup joins NCAIR, they enjoy privileges such as mentorship of their ideas, funding and showcasing them on the global stage.”
And if you’re wondering whether this is all talk, Alao added that “With the support of NCAIR, they have the opportunity to present their solutions to foreign investors and possibly commercialize them.”
Now, let’s talk people. At the helm of this ship is Olubunmi Ajala, a data scientist and economist with a sharp focus on the big picture.
He’s not here for tech-for-tech’s-sake. His expertise lies in connecting digital dots — crafting policies, building infrastructure, and asking how AI can be deployed intelligently to boost national productivity. It’s strategy with soul, and numbers that mean something.
And speaking of numbers — how about ₦100 million? That’s the size of The AI Fund, NCAIR’s new initiative in collaboration with Google.
Yes, that Google. The fund aims to support 10 homegrown startups using AI in real-world applications, with each one receiving up to ₦10 million in funding, mentorship from Google engineers, access to cutting-edge tools, and the kind of visibility that startups dream of.
Introducing the first cohort
BetaLife, which uses AI to match blood types and predict demand across Africa’s blood supply chains.
Bunce, an AI-powered customer engagement platform that personalizes communication for businesses.
FarmSpeak Technology, helping livestock farmers detect disease and manage climate challenges using AI.
It’s a powerful message: Nigeria is no longer waiting for the global AI wave to arrive. It’s building its own.
If the formula sounds familiar, that’s because Morocco’s UM6P Startgate has been playing in the same innovation sandbox.
Under the Division of Entrepreneurship and Venturing (DEV), led by Yassine Laghzioui, UM6P has already built a structure where research meets entrepreneurship, and funding meets functionality.
Programs there don’t just hand out money — they build capacity. They mentor, incubate, accelerate. Sound familiar?
Both Nigeria and Morocco are crafting blueprints that don’t just look good on paper — they’re actionable.
They’re creating environments where AI isn’t some abstract force—it’s something that can teach, heal, build, grow, and protect.
And in an era where digital economies are the new oil, NCAIR isn’t just a research center — it’s a bet. A smart one.
And it’s happening on international stages, too.
“With NITDA leading the charge in advancing Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda, its presence at GITEX Africa 2025 is both strategic and impactful,” he shared.
“Accompanied by 12 trailblazing Nigerian startups, NITDA is set to showcase the very best of Nigeria’s tech innovation from AI and fintech to agritech and smart solutions.”
Maybe the question isn’t “Can AI fix everything?” but “What can a nation fix when it decides to get serious about AI?”
Nigeria just started answering.
