Kashifu Abdullahi has called for global AI frameworks that prioritise local data representation and agency for developing nations. He is the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). He warned against models that reduce African economies to passive consumers.
Africa has been largely excluded from AI development. The major models are built in the US and China. They are trained on data that underrepresents Africa. They are deployed in African markets without local input. In 2023, the African Union developed a continental AI strategy. It emphasised local capacity and data sovereignty. In 2024, Nigeria launched its own AI policy. Implementation has been slow. Abdullahi’s call is part of a broader push for African agency in AI governance.
Abdullahi spoke at a global forum. He said AI frameworks must include developing nations. He warned that models trained on foreign data will not serve African needs. He called for local data representation. He also called for agency. That means African countries should shape the rules, not just follow them.
The argument is sound. AI is not neutral. It reflects the data it learns from. If that data excludes Africa, the outputs will exclude Africa. Facial recognition systems have failed on darker skin tones. Language models struggle with African languages. Health AI misdiagnoses diseases prevalent in Africa. These are not technical glitches. They are consequences of exclusion.
Nigeria has a role. It has a large tech sector. It has data. It has talent. It lacks infrastructure. It lacks capital. It lacks coordination. NITDA is trying to change that. Abdullahi’s call is a signal. Nigeria wants a seat at the table.
The global response is uncertain. The US and EU dominate AI governance. China is building its own ecosystem. Africa is a market, not a rule-maker. Changing that requires collective action. The African Union’s strategy is a start. Implementation is the test.
Winners: NITDA, which shows leadership. African tech firms, if local data is prioritised. Developing nations, if they gain agency. Losers: Global AI firms, which face pressure. Countries that ignore local context. African consumers, if exclusion continues. Nigeria, if the call remains rhetoric.
Bottom Line: Abdullahi wants local data in global AI. He is right. Africa cannot be a passive consumer. It must be a participant. The frameworks are being written now. Nigeria should help write them.