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Scaling skills to shape Africa’s AI future

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Scaling skills to shape Africa’s AI future

By Nonye Ujam

 

The most consequential AI story of the decade could belong to Africa.
Artificial intelligence could boost the continent’s economic growth by 10 to 15 percent, creating hundreds of millions of jobs by 2030.

Powered by the youngest population in the world, Africa could emerge as a digital powerhouse.
Yet, the reality today tells a different story. Immense promise aside, the continent’s AI sector remains underfunded and underdeveloped. Annual AI investments stand at just $2 to 3 billion—barely 1 percent of global spending.

Without strategic investment in essential infrastructure and skills, Africa risks consuming AI rather than creating it.
Addressing this challenge requires infrastructure and solutions specifically designed for Africa’s diverse linguistic, cultural, and socioeconomic landscapes, including advanced language models that reflect local realities.

However, true progress demands more than just technology; it requires talent. Developing a comprehensive ecosystem for skill-building is crucial, one that brings together government and industry under a unified vision.

This approach should go beyond isolated projects, establishing scalable frameworks that empower everyone, from policymakers and educators to developers and job seekers.

The good news is that there are already roadmaps emerging. Nigeria’s national digital skilling efforts, including the recent phase 2 launch of the AI Skills Initiative (AINSI), provide valuable guidance for expanding AI-related skills across economies.

AI leadership: The catalyst for change
No AI strategy succeeds without strong leadership at its core. Government leaders, in particular, hold a unique mandate to set clear priorities, regulate responsibly, and ensure equitable access to infrastructure and data.

Nigeria offers a compelling example of how to cultivate AI leadership through targeted skills development. Through AINSI, the country has begun embedding ethical and inclusive AI leadership within its public sector.

Over the past year, collaborations with government and Lagos Business School have equipped nearly 100 senior leaders, including Members of the National Assembly and representatives from 58 ministries, with practical strategies for AI-powered governance and sector-specific roadmaps.

Beyond executive training, specialised programmes have strengthened resilience in areas like cybersecurity and responsible AI use. For instance, the Nigeria Data Protection Commission received tailored sessions focused on AI, safeguarding data and reinforcing principles of ethical technology deployment.

Leadership, however, is not only about knowledge, but also about creating systems that work. Harmonising credentials and qualifications across regions are essential to ensure skilling translates into real employment opportunities. Leaders across both public and private sectors play a pivotal role in setting standards that validate competencies and align with industry needs.
Developers: Driving AI from theory to reality
For AI to accelerate national progress, it must move beyond theory and into everyday business. That transformation depends on developers, the architects who translate abstract models into reliable solutions that solve real-world problems.
Nigeria’s recent skilling initiatives show how strategic investment in developer talent can create ripple effects across the economy. Programmes such as Developers in Government (DevsInGov) and the 3 Million Technical Talent initiative (3MTT) are building a robust pipeline of technical expertise across sectors. These efforts have already equipped around 250 participants with practical skills in Power BI and AI integration, while another 1,000 developers advanced into specialised areas like DevOps, machine learning, and data science.
This momentum matters. Local developers are enablers of innovation, ensuring AI solutions are secure, scalable, and contextually relevant.
Education: The bedrock of AI readiness
Education is the backbone of any sustainable AI strategy, and Nigeria’s transformation efforts reflect this. Strategic partnerships are bringing AI into classrooms and lecture halls, spanning higher education, technical training, and basic education.
It starts with teachers. National digital upskilling programmes are equipping educators with the competencies to integrate AI into curricula. Hundreds of teachers have already completed training in the pilot phase, signalling a shift toward classrooms where AI concepts become part of everyday learning.
Universities are also stepping up, enhancing digital and entrepreneurial skills among students to ensure graduates are ready for the global digital economy.
Embedding AI in education requires more than isolated programmes—it calls for curriculum redesign that weaves AI concepts across subjects, continuous professional development for educators, and robust infrastructure that makes AI learning accessible.
AI for all: Scaling skills for inclusive growth
For countries to remain competitive in the digital economy, AI cannot be the preserve of specialists, it must become foundational knowledge for every tech user. From students and job seekers to entrepreneurs and more broadly citizens, widespread AI literacy is key to unlocking productivity and innovation at scale.
The Digital Skills Nigeria initiative illustrates what’s possible. Launched in collaboration with the Federal Government, it has already trained over 100,000 individuals, significantly improving digital literacy and employability. This kind of reach doesn’t just prepare individuals, it strengthens the entire economy.
Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are another critical piece of the puzzle. With over 44 million businesses across sub-Saharan Africa, MSMEs could have a transformative impact on AI talent development. That’s the promise behind projects like the FGN-ALAT Skillnovation Programme, which aims to train one million MSMEs, equipping them with the tools to innovate and grow.
Africa’s AI opportunity is vast, but turning potential into progress demands inclusive, coordinated strategies. Nigeria’s early initiatives prove that collaboration works, training millions and embedding AI skills across leadership, education, and enterprise. The journey is just beginning, but these efforts light the path toward an AI-driven future of innovation and shared prosperity.

  • Nonye Ujam is Government Affairs Director, Microsoft West Africa

 

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Dangote Refinery Slashes Petrol Price to ₦774, Ends PMS Bonus Window

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Dangote Refinery Slashes Petrol Price to ₦774, Ends PMS Bonus Window

Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE has announced a reduction in the gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, by ₦25 per litre, lowering the ex-depot rate from ₦799 to ₦774 per litre. The new pricing took immediate effect on Tuesday, 10 February 2026.

The refinery notified petroleum marketers through its Group Commercial Operations Department, stating:
“This is to notify you of a change in our PMS gantry price from ₦799 per litre to ₦774 per litre.”

Industry checks on platforms like petroleumprice.ng confirmed that the revised price has already been updated across petroleum pricing systems, ensuring transparency for downstream operators and consumers.

In the same notice, Dangote Refinery announced the end of its PMS lifting incentive programme, which had offered marketers bonuses for purchasing within specific volume thresholds. The refinery stated that credits for volumes loaded from 2 to 10 February 2026 would be posted to marketers’ accounts.

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Analysts say the simultaneous price cut and closure of the bonus window signals a shift from volume-driven incentives to a more stable and predictable pricing framework, as the refinery consolidates its domestic market share.

The move comes amid continued volatility in PMS prices following the full deregulation of Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector and the removal of fuel subsidies. In 2025, ex-depot prices fluctuated between ₦700 and over ₦800 per litre, driven by exchange rate pressures, global crude oil prices, and reliance on imported fuel, which in turn pushed pump prices higher nationwide.

With a production capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, Dangote Refinery — Africa’s largest single-train refinery — has become a key reference point for domestic fuel pricing. Its operations have helped moderate petrol prices, especially in southern and coastal distribution corridors, and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported fuel.

Industry observers note that the latest price reduction reflects easing production costs, improved operational efficiency, and increased competition from imported cargoes and modular refineries. As the refinery continues to expand, its pricing decisions are expected to influence national petrol rates, transportation costs, and inflationary pressures.

Dangote Refinery Slashes Petrol Price to ₦774, Ends PMS Bonus Window

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Fuel Self-Sufficiency: Dangote Refinery Counters Misinformation on Petrol Imports

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Alhaji Aliko Dangote

Fuel Self-Sufficiency: Dangote Refinery Counters Misinformation on Petrol Imports

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals has clarified that there is no importation of finished Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) — commonly known as petrol — into Nigeria, countering recent reports suggesting otherwise. The company stated that locally refined petrol from the Dangote Refinery now meets a significant portion of Nigeria’s domestic demand, marking a major milestone in the country’s journey toward fuel self-sufficiency.

In a statement, the refinery dismissed claims that it imports finished PMS as false and misleading, stressing that such reports misrepresent its operations and could undermine public confidence in Nigeria’s local refining sector. The company also indicated that it has identified individuals behind these claims and warned that legal action may be pursued against parties spreading misinformation.

Oil marketers and industry observers confirm that the refinery has consistently supplied petrol to the Nigerian market, reducing reliance on imported fuel. The move has been welcomed by stakeholders, including the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), which advised its members to prioritize purchasing petrol from Dangote’s facility to support domestic refining and strengthen local fuel supply chains.

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This announcement comes amid broader efforts to revamp Nigeria’s state-owned refineries. Talks are ongoing between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) and technical partners to enhance capacity at existing refineries, aiming to further reduce the country’s dependence on imported petroleum products.

Analysts say that the rise of local refining through Dangote’s facility is poised to have several benefits for Nigeria, including stabilizing fuel supply, saving foreign exchange, and potentially moderating fuel prices. As the refinery ramps up production, Nigerians can expect more reliable access to locally refined petrol, signaling a shift from historical dependency on imported fuel toward greater energy self-reliance.

The Dangote Refinery, now one of the largest in Africa, continues to deliver substantial volumes of petrol and other refined products across Nigeria, underlining its central role in the country’s energy infrastructure and the nation’s ambition to achieve self-sufficiency in petroleum products.

Fuel Self-Sufficiency: Dangote Refinery Counters Misinformation on Petrol Imports

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Naira Posts Strong Comeback, Breaking Two‑Year High Against Dollar

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Naira Posts Strong Comeback, Breaking Two‑Year High Against Dollar

The Nigerian naira has staged a remarkable comeback against the U.S. dollar, defying expectations and posting sustained appreciation across foreign exchange markets as economic conditions improve, external reserves strengthen, and central bank interventions take effect. This upward momentum reflects a significant shift in Nigeria’s currency dynamics, offering potential relief for businesses, investors, and everyday consumers.

In the official foreign exchange market, the naira has recently strengthened to around ₦1,358 per dollar, its strongest level in nearly two years, fuelled by growing foreign exchange liquidity, rising external reserves, and improved investor confidence. At the close of 2025, the naira finished the year with a gain of over ₦100 per dollar, narrowing the gap between official and parallel markets and underscoring its resilience and renewed stability. The country’s external reserves expanded to approximately $45.5 billion, giving policymakers more buffer to support the currency and dampen volatility.

This performance marks a notable shift from previous periods of sharp depreciation, when the naira traded well above ₦1,600 per dollar in official and parallel markets. In contrast, recent data shows continued strengthening, with parallel market rates also improving, trading below ₦1,500 per dollar at various points as foreign exchange supply conditions eased and market distortions reduced.

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Analysts attribute the rebound to aggressive interventions by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), including increased foreign exchange injections into the market — approaching $800 million in December alone — and renewed sales of dollars to Bureau de Change operators. These liquidity measures helped to boost market confidence and narrow the gap between official and street exchange rates, supporting the naira’s appreciation trend as the new year begins.

Economic forecasts suggest that if current policies and external inflows persist, the naira could continue to outperform projections, with some analysts forecasting it might trade around ₦1,350 per dollar by the end of 2026, a level that would signal sustained recovery momentum for the local currency.

The strengthened naira has also had real‑world impacts on prices, with consumers and traders noting sharper pricing for imported goods like smartphones and other electronics, reflecting less exchange rate pressure on retail costs. This relief in price pressures has contributed positively to market sentiment and consumer confidence.

Despite this progress, currency watchers caution that sustaining the gains will require continued economic reforms, stable inflows from oil and non‑oil sectors, prudent monetary policy, and consistent support for domestic production to reduce reliance on imports. The recent performance, however, is being seen as a turning point — a sign that coordinated policy actions and strengthening macroeconomic fundamentals can deliver tangible gains in exchange rate stability.

As Nigeria navigates the complexities of global financial conditions, the naira’s recent outperformance of the dollar stands out as one of the most notable developments in the country’s economic narrative, offering optimism for continued stability in the foreign exchange landscape.

Naira Posts Strong Comeback, Breaking Two‑Year High Against Dollar

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