AI could add 4% to Nigeria, sub-Saharan Africa’s GDP, says IMF

What the report says

The Punch reports that the International Monetary Fund has said artificial intelligence could raise gross domestic product in Nigeria and across sub-Saharan Africa by about 4% over the next decade, if countries make strategic investments in digital infrastructure. The report frames AI as a potential source of economic gains for the region, but one that depends on policy choices and readiness rather than automatic adoption.

According to the limited details available from The Punch’s article preview, the IMF’s assessment links the potential GDP boost to improved foundations for digital technology. That points to issues such as connectivity, computing capacity, data systems and the broader environment needed for businesses, governments and workers to use AI tools productively. The source snippet does not provide the full IMF report title, publication date or any country-by-country breakdown beyond Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa.

The development matters because Nigeria and many other African economies are seeking new sources of productivity growth amid pressure from inflation, unemployment, infrastructure gaps and fiscal constraints. AI could support sectors such as finance, agriculture, health, education, public administration and logistics, but benefits are likely to vary depending on access to reliable internet, electricity, relevant skills and safeguards for workers and consumers.

As general context, international institutions have increasingly warned that AI may widen inequality between economies that can deploy the technology and those that cannot. The Punch’s report suggests the IMF sees an opportunity for Nigeria and the wider region, while also underscoring that investment and preparedness will be central to whether projected gains materialize.