Nigeria’s Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy has agreed with the United States to collaborate on harnessing Artificial Intelligence (AI), enhancing data flows, and advancing digital skills. This partnership was solidified during the visit of Arun Venkataraman, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Global Markets, who met with Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, on behalf of U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo.

On July 25, 2024, a joint statement was released by the U.S. Department of Commerce and Nigeria’s Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, emphasizing the importance of investing in the digital capacity of the workforce to unlock the potential of digitalization and AI. Both the United States’ Digital Transformation with Africa initiative and Nigeria’s Strategic Plan for the Digital Economy Sector (2023) share the objective of fostering human capital development to ensure inclusive access to essential digital skills.

The full statement highlighted the commitment of U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo and Nigerian Minister Dr. Bosun Tijani to strengthening the digital economy, promoting innovation, and boosting digital trade and investment between Nigeria and the U.S. They emphasized the potential of the digital economy to drive economic growth, create jobs, and support an inclusive, ethical, and sustainable digital future.

Raimondo and Tijani acknowledged AI’s transformative potential across various sectors and its impact on daily life, stressing the importance of harnessing AI for good while managing its risks. They reiterated the need to implement the UN General Assembly’s recent resolution on the safe, secure, and trustworthy use of AI for sustainable development. They also underscored the significance of trusted ICT, data privacy, data protection, and cross-border data transfers in developing AI and other critical technologies.

The joint statement outlined their intention to collaborate on data protection and cross-border data transfers, emphasizing the need for robust data protections, secure ICT, and cloud security. Both nations plan to strengthen cooperation in these areas to facilitate innovation and protect against cybersecurity risks. They also recognized the challenges these emerging technologies pose to policymakers and regulators, expressing their commitment to promoting data protection best practices and exploring innovative solutions.

The U.S. Department of Commerce supports Nigeria’s engagement with the Global Cross Border Privacy Rules (CBPR) Forum, which could provide Nigerian organizations with additional tools to facilitate trusted data transfers while maintaining strong data protection measures.