Why Bill Gates is Supporting Nigeria with $7.5M for AI Scale Up

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has announced a $7.5 million commitment to support the Nigeria Artificial Intelligence (AI) Scaling Hub. 

The hub aims to accelerate the responsible adoption of AI technologies across critical sectors, including health, education, and agriculture, and will be implemented over the next three years.

The Big Picture: Nigeria’s Ambitious AI Vision

Nigeria’s government, in collaboration with the Gates Foundation, formally launched the AI Scaling Hub in Abuja this week, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, and the Gates Foundation.

This partnership reflects a new era of investment in Nigeria’s digital economy and technological future.

According to Minister Bosun Tijani, the hub will provide resources, mentorship, and funding for Nigerian innovators to deploy AI solutions that create real impact.

“By working with the Gates Foundation, we are strengthening our capacity to ensure that AI-driven solutions are developed responsibly and deployed equitably,” Tijani said during the signing ceremony.

Why Bill Gates is Betting on Nigeria

Bill Gates has been a consistent advocate for leveraging technology to solve real-world problems in developing countries. The $7.5 million investment isn’t just about technology; it’s about building local capacity and driving inclusive growth:

Boosting Local Innovation: The AI Scaling Hub will serve as a catalyst for Nigerian entrepreneurs and startups, equipping them with the necessary skills, resources, and networks to build and scale AI-powered solutions.

Targeting Key Sectors: The initiative will prioritise solutions in health, education, and agriculture sectors that directly affect millions of Nigerians and hold the potential to uplift underserved communities.

Fostering Inclusion: As Uche Amaonwu, Nigeria Country Director at the Gates Foundation, put it, “We’re proud to support the Nigeria AI Scaling Hub with the Government of Nigeria and Lagos Business School, investing in local talent and innovation to ensure the benefits of AI reach those who need them most.”

The Numbers: Why This Matters

$7.5 Million Over 3 Years: The Gates Foundation’s funding will be deployed from 2025 to 2028, marking one of the largest philanthropic investments in Africa’s AI space to date.

Rapid Population Growth: With over 223 million people (World Bank, 2023) and the largest youth population in Africa, Nigeria is positioned as a testbed for scalable, transformative technology solutions.

Sector Impact: According to World Bank and government statistics, Nigeria’s agriculture employs about 35% of the workforce, the education sector struggles with over 20 million out-of-school children, and health outcomes remain a top priority, making these the right targets for AI innovation.