Israeli Envoy Seeks Expanded AI Cooperation With Nigeria

The Israeli government has expressed its readiness to deepen cooperation with Nigeria in the field of artificial intelligence, describing the country as a key partner in efforts to expand innovation and technological development across Africa.

 Speaking at the closing ceremony of Innovation Week in Abuja, Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, said Israel was committed to sharing knowledge and expertise that would help Nigerian innovators leverage AI for economic growth and problem-solving.

The week-long programme, organised through the Innovation Fellowship for Aspiring Inventors and Researchers initiative, focused on building the capacity of entrepreneurs, researchers, startup founders and innovators in AI-driven business development.

According to Freeman, Israel has adopted an ambitious strategy to become one of the world’s leading AI nations and sees collaboration with Nigeria as a critical component of that vision.

He noted that greater Nigerian and African participation in AI development would help ensure that emerging technologies reflect local realities and address challenges specific to the continent.

The ambassador said AI possesses enormous potential to enhance productivity, improve creativity, streamline operations and unlock new opportunities across multiple sectors. 

Also speaking at the event, AI lead facilitator from Israeli non-profit organisation Unistream, Dor Yaacov, praised Nigerian participants for demonstrating innovation and entrepreneurial capacity.

He said African innovators are increasingly well-positioned to develop AI-powered solutions capable of addressing challenges in education, healthcare, agriculture, security and sustainable development.

Yaacov expressed confidence that Nigerian startups would soon emerge as global players capable of creating technologies that impact millions of people beyond the country’s borders.

He described the participants as creative problem-solvers focused on developing practical solutions to real-world challenges facing their communities and society at large.