Nigeria has recorded rapid deployment of AI tools and digital infrastructure, driven by Chinese technology investment, and now ranks second in the world in terms of AI usage frequency, according to a research report released by the ADP Global Institute on July 14, 2026.
The findings were highlighted as global leaders gathered in Shanghai from July 17 to 20, 2026, for the 2026 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance.
Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony and delivered the keynote address. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, alongside official representatives from more than 100 countries and international organizations, as well as guests from academia, research, and industry, also attended the conference.
Held under the theme “AI Partnership for a Brighter Future,” participants explored pathways to promote global AI development for the benefit of all.
Speakers noted that a new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation is advancing rapidly. AI is shifting from the digital world to the physical world, becoming fully integrated into production and daily life, and emerging as a key engine of global development.
However, the meeting also addressed the negative impacts of rapid technological advancement, including ethical risks, data security concerns, and challenges relating to regulatory adaptation.
Key questions raised included how to ensure security when algorithms become part of decision-making, how to address ethical challenges through adaptive governance, and how to realize “AI for all” amid a widening digital divide.
In his address, President Xi Jinping outlined four guiding principles for AI development that balances speed with stability. These include adherence to the principle of openness to boost innovation-driven development and strengthen AI as a new engine of global economic growth, enhanced risk awareness to ensure AI remains secure, controllable, and a trusted tool for humanity, and encouragement of mutual learning among civilizations to ensure AI contributes to the progress of human civilization, among others.
From the perspectives of development, security, civilization, and governance, Xi said the overarching goal is to make AI an important driving force for shared prosperity and common security, and to jointly build a just and equitable system for global AI governance.
China stated that it remains committed to providing international public goods related to AI. Since proposing the Global AI Governance Initiative in 2023, China has promoted the UN General Assembly Resolution on Enhancing International Cooperation on Capacity Building in Artificial Intelligence, published the AI Capacity Building Action Plan for Good and for All, and announced the AI Plus International Cooperation Initiative.
China also advocated the establishment of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO), which has now been officially established in Shanghai.
On open innovation, China noted that cumulative global downloads of its open-source large models have exceeded 10 billion. Its next-generation Kimi K3 model has become the world’s largest open-source model by parameter scale, spawning more than 170,000 derivative applications.
For the Global South, Xi announced three support measures: providing developing countries with 5,000 opportunities for AI training and seminar programmes over the next five years, developing international AI application cooperation centres with ASEAN, the League of Arab States, the African Union, CELAC, SCO, and BRICS, and enabling 30 countries to use China’s AI-powered meteorological warning system, MAZU, to help safeguard communities.
The report noted that countries including Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, and Egypt have emerged as key drivers of AI development in Africa, leveraging favourable policies, digital infrastructure, and technical talent. With more than 20 African countries rolling out national AI strategies, Africa’s share of the global AI market is expected to continue expanding.
China said it stands ready to work with Nigeria and other countries to guide AI development and ensure that intelligent technology truly benefits all humanity.
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(Editor: Ada Ononye)
