Nigeria's National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) has established a $61,000 (N100 million) fund for start-ups using artificial intelligence (AI) to develop new solutions in the country. 

Bosun Tijani, the minister of communication innovation and digital economy, unveiled the initiative in partnership with Google on Tuesday at the U.S.-Nigeria Global Inclusivity and AI: Africa conference. 

Tijani commented: “The AI Fund is a critical step in nurturing home grown innovation that addresses local challenges and contributes to economic growth. By supporting our start-ups, we are not only investing in their success but also in the future of Nigeria’s digital economy.”

Olumide Balogun, Google's West Africa director, said during the initiative's launch that his company's support for the AI Fund was part of a larger commitment to improve digital skills across Africa. 

According to Dr. Bunmi Ajala, national coordinator of NCAIR, the collaboration with Google reflects their shared aim for Nigeria's technological progress.

“The AI Fund is designed to empower our entrepreneurs with the resources they need to create impactful AI solutions,” Ajala said.

Selected start-ups will receive up to $6,000 (N10 million) in cash, as well as access to Google's substantial resources, like as AI technologies, mentorship, and a global network to help them scale their innovations. 

The applications, which began on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, are slated to end on September 25, 2024.