Nigeria has been ranked 18th out of 54 African countries in Artificial Intelligence (AI) talent readiness, according to a new report released by PwC Nigeria. The findings, contained in the firm’s AI Talent Readiness Index in Africa (2025), highlight Nigeria’s struggles to keep pace with Africa’s innovation leaders, despite its large population and fast-growing tech ecosystem.
With a score of 37.7, Nigeria lags behind countries such as South Africa (52.1), Tunisia (51.8), and Kenya (49.7), which continue to strengthen their positions as AI front-runners on the continent.
The continent-wide average stands at 52.9, placing Nigeria well below the global benchmark.
PwC explained that Nigeria’s position reflects deep-rooted challenges in AI infrastructure, advanced technical training, and the absence of a coordinated national AI strategy.
Although Nigeria benefits from vibrant youth demographics and active tech hubs in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, the country has yet to translate this potential into measurable advancements in AI deployment.
The report warned that without significant investment, Nigeria risks losing ground in an industry expected to reshape economies and labour markets worldwide.
“To close the gap with continental and global leaders, Nigeria must boost AI education pipelines, expand digital infrastructure, and deepen collaboration between government, academia, and industry players,” PwC recommended.
Interestingly, Nigeria still ranks second in Africa for AI-focused organisations, accounting for around 19% of the continent’s 2,400 AI-driven companies.
This signals that while the country is behind in readiness, its innovation base provides a foundation for growth if properly harnessed.
Africa as a whole remains a minor player in the global AI landscape, representing less than 1% of over 90,000 AI companies worldwide. The United States dominates with 39%, followed by Europe at 19%.
However, the African AI sector is projected to be worth $8.39 billion by 2027, creating a window of opportunity for Nigeria to catch up, provided policymakers and industry leaders act swiftly.
PwC’s report predicts that by 2027, 40% of business use cases will be powered by AI, reshaping industries such as finance, healthcare, logistics, and agriculture.
This shift will also create new job categories while rendering some existing roles obsolete, requiring urgent reskilling initiatives.
Analysts believe Nigeria’s youthful workforce could be an asset if the country expands its STEM education, data science training, and AI-focused research institutions.
Private sector players, especially in fintech and health tech, are already integrating AI tools, but their growth remains hindered by poor infrastructure and limited funding.
Stakeholders have repeatedly called for a National Artificial Intelligence Policy that would provide a roadmap for funding, regulation, and capacity development.
Countries like South Africa and Kenya have taken steps in this direction, enabling them to attract global investors and position themselves as AI leaders.
Engr. Chinenye Eke, a technology policy analyst, told The Nation that Nigeria must act urgently:
“AI is not just a technology trend—it’s the backbone of the future economy. Without a clear national strategy, Nigeria will remain a consumer of AI solutions built elsewhere rather than a global producer.”
Nigeria’s ranking as 18th in Africa for AI talent readiness serves as a wake-up call.
While the country has the human capital and entrepreneurial spirit to thrive, its lack of coordinated investment in infrastructure, education, and policy continues to hold it back.
As the African AI market surges toward billions of dollars in value, experts insist that Nigeria must accelerate its efforts or risk being left behind in the next industrial revolution.