Nigerian start-ups are leading an epic AI innovation race with innovative digital solutions solving cross-continental challenges, as the very best from Africa’s largest economy take centre stage at the rising Silicon Valley’s largest tech and start-up event in Marrakech, Morocco, later this month.
From AI-powered diabetic care to SaaS (Software as a Service) platforms boosting agriculture profitability, Nigerian tech is shaping the future of Africa’s burgeoning digital economy, enticing global investors with venture opportunities at the AI Everything Expo at GITEX Africa 2024 from May 29 to 31.
Nigeria’s bold initiatives establishing the country as a dominant force in AI and tech talent development will be amplified by strong venture capital demand and interest at the forum, which showcases the continent’s most progressive power forum for AI exploration and deep tech innovation.
The organizers noted that demand will be intensified by the incredible AI growth opportunity in Nigeria. According to analysts Statista, Nigeria’s AI market value will surpass the $1 billion mark in 2024, growing 17 per cent yearly over the next seven years to reach $3 billion by 2030.
FundusAI, Africa’s first AI-powered diabetic care ecosystem, is an example of Nigerian-borne innovation allowing doctors to detect Diabetic Retinopathy early and will be one of more than 60 of the most outstanding Nigerian start-ups among hundreds of global start-ups at GITEX Africa 2024.
“Our product stands out as Africa’s first AI-powered ecosystem for diabetic care,” said FundusAI’s CEO and Founder, Abulmalik Adeyemo, who wants to diagnose more than five million patients yearly by 2027, while expanding FundusAI’s scope to address additional eye health issues.
Farmatrix is another Nigerian AI game changer at AI Everything Expo by GITEX AFRICA 2024, a SaaS platform that connects farmers with agro-commodity aggregators and buyers in real-time using advanced AI algorithms, greatly reducing post-harvest loss and boosting profits.
“More than 60 per cent of smallholder farmers in Nigeria lose nearly half of their post-harvest yield because they can’t readily access buyers for their products,” said Nyafamu Manzo, Founder of Farmatrix.
While Africa is still in the early stages of AI adoption, there’s a growing interest in the transformational technology across the continent, as governments balance the fine act of AI innovation and regulation, while fast-tracking AI talent development plans.
CEO of Big Cabal Media, the Nigerian-based Pan-African media group that tells the great African start-up story to the world, Tomiwa Aladekomo, said Nigeria sets an example of elevating tech talent to accelerate productivity and attract investment across the continent.
