By AI Reports Africa | June 26, 2025
A quiet announcement just rocked Africa’s AI scene.
On June 25, 2025, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, posted an update from Norway that may have triggered one of the most important digital alliances Africa has seen yet. A potential AI research partnership between Nigeria and Norway is now in the works — and it could be a game-changer for Africa’s digital future.
But what’s really behind this pact? And why are observers calling it a power move?
Let’s break it down.
The Visit That Sparked Global Interest
Dr. Tijani’s visit to the University of Oslo, shared via his official X post, wasn’t just another diplomatic trip. It coincided with the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) 2025, held in Lillestrøm, Norway — the world’s most inclusive platform for digital policy dialogue. While there, Tijani reconnected with Norwegian researchers he had worked with during his time at Pera between 2007 and 2010, hinting at deep-rooted trust and continuity in collaboration.
Images from the visit showed formal meetings, suggesting serious conversations around research, innovation, and the future of trustworthy AI.
What’s the AI Pact About?
While no official document has been released (yet), the post and the buzz around it — suggest a strategic AI research collaboration rooted in two powerful frameworks:
- Nigeria’s National AI Strategy (NAIS), launched in 2024
- Norway’s TRUST Centre for Trustworthy AI, launched in June 2025
This isn’t just a handshake; it’s a meeting of missions. Nigeria’s push for inclusive, ethical, and African-led AI meets Norway’s cutting-edge work on safe and responsible AI.
Nigeria’s AI Ambitions Are No Joke
Nigeria has been sprinting toward the AI future. In 2024, it launched the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (NAIS), crafted by the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) and NITDA, with help from industry players. The strategy emphasizes:
- Ethical innovation that protects human rights
- AI for economic diversification and job creation
- A strong community of practice via the NAICI initiative
This partnership could supercharge Nigeria’s implementation capacity, giving local researchers access to international expertise and infrastructure.
Why Norway’s TRUST Centre Matters
Just weeks before the IGF, Norway launched TRUST: The Norwegian Centre for Trustworthy AI, hosted at the University of Oslo. With 77 partners across academia, government, and industry, TRUST is designed to tackle:
- Fairness in AI systems
- Transparency and explainability
- Civil society inclusion
TRUST aligns perfectly with Nigeria’s goals — and could be the European anchor Nigeria needs to push forward responsibly in a global AI race.
Why This Is Bigger Than Just Research
This isn’t just about labs and code.
If this partnership materializes, it may unlock:
Cross-border research exchange programs
Capacity building for Nigerian developers and policymakers
Policy co-creation around trustworthy AI governance
Increased African influence in global digital diplomacy
A model for South-North cooperation based on equality and trust
Strategic Timing: Why IGF 2025 Was the Perfect Stage
IGF 2025 isn’t just a backdrop. It’s the global arena for digital governance — and Nigeria is stepping boldly onto that stage. From hosting the Africa IGF in 2023 to participating in global sessions this year, Nigeria is showing the world it’s ready to lead, not follow.
By aligning this visit with IGF, Dr. Tijani turned what could have been a quiet research conversation into a global policy signal.
What Happens Next?
While the details of the partnership are still under wraps, several outcomes are likely:
- A joint AI research announcement in Q3 2025
- Nigeria’s involvement in European AI research consortia
- Expanded role for AIReportsAfrica in tracking and amplifying these developments
- More South-North AI alliances modeled after this one
Final Thoughts: A Turning Point for African AI
This could be the moment Africa’s role in the global AI conversation changes — permanently.
If the Nigeria-Norway AI partnership solidifies, it would:
- Cement Nigeria as a key digital diplomacy player
- Drive Africa’s own AI standards and not just import them
- Prove that Africa doesn’t need charity — it needs partnership
“This isn’t just about tech. It’s about trust, sovereignty, and vision.”
— AI Reports Africa
Follow us @AIReportsAfrica as we continue tracking the rise of Africa’s AI leadership — one partnership at a time.
