Nigeria is poised to become one of the first African countries to introduce comprehensive legislation regulating artificial intelligence (AI). The proposed National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill seeks to provide oversight for the country’s rapidly expanding digital market after years of limited regulatory frameworks.
The bill introduces a risk-based approach, mandating rigorous impact assessments for AI applications deployed in high-stakes sectors such as finance, healthcare, and public services. Regulators would be empowered to audit algorithms, impose fines, and suspend systems that fail to comply with established standards.
At the same time, the legislation encourages innovation by providing supervised testing environments for startups, allowing new AI technologies to be developed responsibly under regulatory oversight.
By establishing early ethical and safety guardrails, Nigeria aims to foster technological growth while protecting consumers, potentially setting a precedent for responsible AI development across the continent.
Industry experts say the legislation could position Nigeria as a continental leader in AI governance, balancing economic opportunity with social responsibility.
