Africa must define own AI future – Group

  A group of tech enthusiasts, AI in Nigeria, has said Africa must define its own AI future—one where ethics, inclusivity, and safety guide progress and economic development. The co-convener of AI in Nigeria, Ehia Erhaboh, told journalists in Lagos on Tuesday that Africa must ensure AI serves as a force for good, fostering inclusive […]

 

A group of tech enthusiasts, AI in Nigeria, has said Africa must define its own AI future—one where ethics, inclusivity, and safety guide progress and economic development.

The co-convener of AI in Nigeria, Ehia Erhaboh, told journalists in Lagos on Tuesday that Africa must ensure AI serves as a force for good, fostering inclusive opportunities, improving healthcare, and enabling smarter governance.

Announcing the
InnovateAI 2026, the group’s flagship event, Erhaboh, said the InnovateAI 2026 is a platform to ensure Africa defines its own AI future—one where ethics, inclusivity, and safety guide progress.

He said InnovateAI 2026 is poised to bring together policymakers, industry leaders, technology experts, and the public to forge a path forward that ensures AI serves as a force for good, fostering inclusive opportunities, improving healthcare, and enabling smarter governance.

Organizations looking to shape Africa’s AI future are invited to become a partner or sponsor for InnovateAI 2026, he said.

He said the programme is a unique opportunity to demonstrate leadership in the responsible AI movement, gain targeted visibility among key stakeholders, industry leaders, policymakers, innovators, and investors – positioning themselves at the forefront of Africa’s responsible AI movement.

“This is not just a conference, it’s a catalyst for shaping Africa’s digital future,” said Dotun Adeoye, Co-Convener, AI in Nigeria. “Our partners’ support is essential in building a more equitable, secure, and prosperous AI ecosystem for Nigeria and beyond.”

With the theme:
“Responsible AI beyond Innovation”, the next year edition will build on the successes of its previous editions.

He said InnovateAI 2026 is poised to shape the national conversation on the critical issues of ethics, security, and governance in artificial intelligence.

The inaugural InnovateAI 2024, themed “Adapting AI for Nigeria,” successfully catalysed policy discussions and attracted over 4,000 physical attendees, including AI Innovators, Academia, Researchers and Policy Makers engaging in public and private sector discourse on AI.

The recently concluded 2025 conference, themed “Scaling AI Adoption in Nigeria,” expanded the event’s reach to over 6,000 physical participants, with live-streaming to twelve AI in Nigeria’s community hubs in the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria.

The conference addressed systemic challenges to scaling AI – talent, data, and compute infrastructure.

“AI is reshaping industries, economies, and societies at an unprecedented pace, but innovation without trust and governance risks leaving people behind”, Erhaboh said.