Nigeria Leads Africa in Responsible AI, Ranks 38th Globally

Nigeria has risen to become Africa's highest-ranked nation in responsible artificial intelligence governance, according to a major global report released this week. The country placed 38th out of 135 countries in the 2026 Global Index on Responsible AI (GIRAI), marking a dramatic jump of 42 places from its 80th position in the index's inaugural edition in 2024.

The index, compiled by the Global Center on AI Governance, evaluates nations across five key areas: inclusion and diversity, ethics and sustainability, labour and skills, trust and safety, and AI use in public services. Nigeria's overall score of 45.93 significantly outpaced the African regional average of 21.79, placing it ahead of all other African nations assessed. South Africa followed as the continent's second-highest ranked country at 77th globally.

Officials attributed the rapid ascent to deliberate policy efforts under the current administration. The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, stated that the ranking reflects Nigeria's commitment to building an inclusive and responsible AI ecosystem aligned with national development goals. He emphasized that Africa should not only...