Nigeria has unveiled a new continental artificial intelligence initiative, the ATLAS Network, aimed at accelerating the development of home-grown AI technologies that reflect Africa’s languages, cultures, and knowledge systems.

The initiative was announced on Thursday by the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, at the opening of the 7th Ordinary Session of the Conference of Plenipotentiaries of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) in Abuja.

The ATLAS Network is an expansion of Nigeria’s N-ATLAS, Africa’s first government-backed open-source Large Language Model (LLM), which was launched at the United Nations General Assembly last year.

According to Tijani, the initiative will provide a continental platform that brings together governments, researchers, innovators, academia, and development partners to build locally relevant AI models by Africans and for Africans.

He said the move was necessary to address the glaring gap in AI development on the continent, noting that fewer than two per cent of Africa’s languages are currently meaningfully supported by modern artificial intelligence systems despite the continent being home to nearly one-third of the world’s languages.

He said, “Artificial Intelligence represents one of the greatest opportunities for Africa’s transformation. Today, I am pleased to announce that, together with partners across Africa, we are taking the next step by expanding this initiative into a continental framework, the ATLAS Network.

“Our ambition is for the ATLAS Network to become a platform that accelerates the development of locally relevant Large Language Models in Africa, by Africa, and for Africa.

“It will bring together governments, researchers, innovators, academia, and ecosystem partners to ensure that Africa’s languages, cultures, and knowledge systems are reflected in the AI technologies that will shape our future.”

Tijani called on all member states of the African Telecommunications Union to join the initiative, saying collaboration would be critical to ensuring Africa becomes an active contributor to the global AI ecosystem rather than a passive consumer of emerging technologies.

He said the continent has a unique opportunity to shape the future of artificial intelligence by leveraging its youthful population, growing digital ecosystem, and expanding innovation landscape.

The minister also acknowledged the contribution of the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA), describing the organisation as a key partner whose support was instrumental in reaching the milestone.

“We can ensure that Africa’s AI future reflects our languages, cultures, and knowledge systems. This is our opportunity not simply to adopt Artificial Intelligence, but to help shape its future for Africa and from Africa,” he said.

Earlier, Vice President Kashim Shettima urged African countries to work together to harness digital technologies for sustainable development.

Represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hadejia, he described artificial intelligence, broadband infrastructure, cloud computing, satellite communications, and secure digital networks as critical infrastructure for the future, stressing that no African nation could achieve its digital ambitions in isolation.

Shettima said Africa must strengthen cooperation on responsible AI governance, cybersecurity, spectrum management, and digital trade while presenting a united position on issues affecting global digital development.

“Digital transformation is not an end in itself. It is a means to create jobs, improve education, strengthen healthcare, deepen financial inclusion, empower women and young people, and foster sustainable economic growth.”

“Nigeria remains firmly committed to this agenda. Under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, our administration continues to prioritise investments in broadband expansion, digital infrastructure, innovation, artificial intelligence, digital public infrastructure, cybersecurity, and the development of a globally competitive digital workforce.”

“Africa must also assume a more prominent role in shaping the global digital agenda. For too long, global technology policies have often been developed without adequate representation of African priorities and perspectives. That must change,” he stated.

The conference, which attracted ministers, regulators, and industry stakeholders from across the continent, is expected to harmonise Africa’s position ahead of the 2026 International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference, where key decisions on global telecommunications and digital governance will be taken. (The Sun)

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