Nigeria has been recognized as the highest-ranked country in Africa in the 2026 Global Responsible AI Index (GIRAI), securing the 38th position out of 135 countries with an overall score of 45.93 out of 100. This achievement underscores Nigeria’s commitment to fostering responsible artificial intelligence practices.
The Global Center on AI Governance published the report, which evaluates nations based on their ability to create frameworks, institutions, and safeguards for the responsible development and deployment of AI technology. The assessment spans five key dimensions: inclusion and diversity, ethics and sustainability, labor and skills, trust and safety, and the implementation of AI in public services. Norway emerged as the leader of the 2026 Global Index for Responsible AI, achieving a score of 74.20, followed by Italy and Ireland with scores of 72.71 and 71.39, respectively.
Government Response to Ranking
In response to the ranking, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, expressed that the nation’s ascent in the index is a testament to its belief in the responsible integration of AI. He emphasized that Africa should not only actively participate in the AI revolution but also influence how this technology is governed and employed globally.
Tijani remarked on Nigeria’s notable advancement of 42 places to 38th globally and 1st in Africa, emphasizing the government’s deliberate efforts to create an AI ecosystem that is both inclusive and aligned with national development priorities. He pointed out that initiatives such as the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (NAIS) and the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) program have garnered international recognition, signaling progress in enhancing AI literacy within the country.
The minister reiterated the government’s commitment to investing in digital infrastructure, human capital, and AI governance frameworks, ensuring that artificial intelligence provides significant value to Nigerians. He also highlighted the government’s support for a vision of building a $1 trillion economy driven by innovation and inclusive growth, in accordance with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision.
Nigeria’s AI Ranking Details
Nigeria achieved an impressive score of 45.93, significantly surpassing Africa’s regional average of 21.79. South Africa followed in second place within the continent with a score of 29.68, ranking 77th globally. Other African countries included Libya (29.24), Zambia (29.12), Gambia (28.19), and Mauritius (26.29).
Across the five evaluation dimensions, Nigeria excelled particularly in trust and safety, scoring 63.45, and inclusion and diversity with a score of 52.06. In ethics and sustainability, Nigeria scored 49.63, while the performance in labor and skills garnered a score of 40.85. However, the nation faced challenges with its lowest score of 23.65 in the use of AI in public services. Other pertinent metrics included an AI Policy Score of 51.18, a Civil Society Engagement Score of 26.94, and an Enabling Conditions Score of 41.76.
Commendations on AI Skills Development
The report identified Nigeria as a “bright spot” for its efforts to merge AI skills development with child protection initiatives. It lauded the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2025 for its role in enhancing AI literacy through the 3MTT program. Additionally, the recognition of the Nigeria Data Protection Act and the General Application and Implementation Directive (GAID) 2025 demonstrates the country’s commitment to safeguarding children’s personal data and restricting decision-making based solely on automated processes.
The report concluded by emphasizing that, amid a limited focus on children’s rights within the region, Nigeria stands out as one of the few African nations actively bridging the gap between children’s skill development and their protection from potential AI-related harm.
