Nigeria and Brazil have initiated discussions to deepen their collaboration in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and GovTech, aiming to drive economic growth and digital transformation in both nations.
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy of Nigeria, Bosun Tijani, led the high-level engagements with key Brazilian officials, including representatives from the ApexBrasil Trade Promotion and Investment Attraction Agency and the Brazilian Support Service for Micro and Small Enterprises. The meeting, which also had in attendance the President of ApexBrasil, Jorge Viana, and the Brazilian Ambassador to Nigeria, Carlos Gacete, underscores Nigeria’s commitment to fostering international cooperation in digital innovation.
This strategic engagement aligns with Nigeria’s preparations for a Technology Exchange mission to Brazil, scheduled for April 2025. Tijani highlighted the importance of leveraging AI to promote sustainable development, particularly in the Global South.
During the discussions, Brazil’s advancements in GovTech—technology-driven government solutions—were explored as a potential model for Nigeria’s digital transformation efforts. Tijani emphasized that learning from Brazil’s expertise in enhancing government services through digital tools could significantly benefit Nigeria’s public sector.
“In addition to digital trade, we discussed the importance of bilateral cooperation between our countries. As leaders in the Global South, there is immense opportunity to harness Artificial Intelligence for development. Brazil’s expertise in GovTech will serve as a valuable resource as we look to improve our own public sector services through digital innovation,” Tijani stated.
Another key focus of the discussions was the recognition of IHS Towers, a Nigerian-founded telecommunications infrastructure company with a notable presence in Brazil. This further underscores the growing economic and technological ties between the two nations.
Tijani also highlighted the significance of Nigeria-Brazil trade relations, noting that bilateral trade between the countries reached $2.9 billion in 2022, driven primarily by the exchange of petroleum and other commodities.
The collaboration between Nigeria and Brazil in AI and digital technology is expected to strengthen economic and technological advancements, positioning both nations as key players in the digital economy of the Global South.
