What Nigeria’s AI Adoption Tells Us About the Future of AI-First Global Growth
What’s really happening with AI usage around the world?
There’s a lot of noise. A lot of hype. A lot of headlines.
But when you look at the data carefully - and place it in a global context - a very different and far more interesting picture begins to emerge.
Nigerians are among the most excited about AI globally
Last week, I was on a call about a new digital programme in Nigeria. During the discussion, I mentioned something that surprised a few people.
According to recent data from DataReportal/We Are Social/Meltwater:
77% say they feel positive about AI - second only to Ghana at 72%
Compare that to the USA at 33% and the UK at 30%.
That’s not a marginal difference. That’s a mindset shift.
And it goes beyond enthusiasm.
AI Is Already Being Used At Scale In Nigeria
According to the 2026 Google and Ipsos report, ‘Our Life with AI: Helpfulness in the Hands of More People’, 88% of Nigerian adults say they have used an AI tool or application - the highest figure globally.
By comparison:
USA: 54%
UK: 62%.
That means AI in Nigeria is not theoretical. It’s practical. It’s in use.
And it’s not just individuals experimenting
A 2025 Zoho–Arion Research study ‘The AI Privacy Equation: The Nigerian Model of Responsible AI Adoption’, reports that:
93% of Nigerian organisations have adopted AI in some form
Over 31% are already at an advanced stage of integration.
This is business adoption, not casual curiosity.
The Leapfrog Effect
Here’s what makes this even more interesting.
Less than half of Nigeria’s population is currently online.
Yet AI usage and enthusiasm are among the highest in the world.
This suggests something powerful: many users may not be transitioning slowly from traditional digital tools. They may be coming online into an AI-enabled environment from day one as AI natives.
Instead of following the same digital evolution path as Western markets - website, search, mobile, social, marketplaces - we may see some countries leapfrog directly into AI-powered ecosystems.
We’ve seen leapfrogging before with mobile banking in Africa.
We may now be seeing the early signs of AI-first economies.
What This Means for Internationally Ambitious SMEs
For exporters and internationally ambitious businesses, this matters.
The future of global growth may not follow yesterday’s digital map.
We may well see AI-first nations emerging over the next few years, leapfrogging some of today’s leading digital economies.
Emerging markets may be moving faster - and differently.
It’s about recognising where momentum is building.
For exporters around the world, this is your reminder to think ahead.
Keep an eye on where your customers and your competitors of the future will be.
Because unstoppable international growth doesn’t happen by accident.
It happens when you understand the signals early - and act with a clear action plan.