Envoy says artificial intelligence can become a catalyst for entrepreneurship and economic growth as both countries deepen technology collaboration….
The Israeli government has pledged to deepen its collaboration with Nigeria in the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence, with a focus on innovation, entrepreneurship and job creation.
Israel’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, made the commitment at the conclusion of the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Bootcamp 2026 in Abuja, where young innovators, startup founders and entrepreneurs spent four days exploring how artificial intelligence can be leveraged to build sustainable businesses and solve real-world challenges.
The programme, organised by Innov8 Hub under the theme “From Ideas to Impact: Building AI-Enabled Ventures for the Future,” brought together participants from diverse sectors to develop technology-driven solutions aimed at addressing pressing economic and social issues.
Addressing attendees, Freeman said Israel is pursuing an ambitious vision to become a global leader in artificial intelligence and is ready to share its expertise with Nigeria through existing partnerships and future collaborations.
“We are going all in on AI,” the ambassador said. “Our goal is to become one of the world’s leading AI nations, and we want to share that knowledge with Nigeria so that together we can create opportunities, drive innovation and build stronger economies.”
According to him, the partnership extends beyond the current IFAIR initiative and will involve broader engagement with Nigerian institutions, businesses and government agencies interested in advancing technological development.
Freeman described the collaboration as the beginning of a more strategic relationship between both countries in the AI space, noting that technology would play a central role in shaping future economic growth.
The ambassador also pushed back against concerns that artificial intelligence will replace human workers, arguing instead that AI presents one of the greatest opportunities for job creation and business expansion.
He said entrepreneurs who embrace emerging technologies would be better positioned to improve productivity, develop new products and create additional employment opportunities.
“AI is not simply about automation. It can help businesses grow, create new markets and generate jobs,” he said. “The more people engage with these technologies, the greater the opportunities for innovation and economic advancement.”
Freeman further emphasized the importance of African participation in the development of artificial intelligence, stressing that local voices must be represented as global technologies continue to evolve.
“The more Nigerians engage with AI, the stronger Nigeria’s influence will be in shaping the future of this technology,” he noted.
The envoy also encouraged young Nigerians to pursue their ambitions at home, describing Nigeria as a country filled with untapped opportunities for innovation and enterprise.
He urged participants to channel their talents toward solving local problems and building globally competitive businesses from within the country.
Also speaking at the event, Dor Yaakov, a lead facilitator from Israeli entrepreneurship development organisation Unistream, praised the creativity and problem-solving mindset demonstrated by participants throughout the programme.
According to him, many of the ideas presented addressed critical challenges in sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture, sustainability and community development.
Yaakov expressed confidence that some of the innovations emerging from Nigeria could eventually develop into globally successful startups capable of impacting millions of lives.
“This programme has shown that Nigerian entrepreneurs are creating solutions with global potential,” he said. “I believe some of these ideas will grow into companies that solve major challenges around the world.”
The Managing Director of Innov8 Hub, Gregory Ibe Jr., said the initiative was specifically designed to demonstrate how artificial intelligence can be used to enhance productivity and expand employment opportunities rather than replace workers.
He explained that participants were trained to integrate AI into business operations in ways that increase efficiency, strengthen competitiveness and unlock new opportunities for growth.
According to Ibe, about 20 startup teams participated in the programme, alongside members of the innovation hub, with plans already being considered for future editions.
The latest engagement comes amid growing efforts by Nigeria and Israel to strengthen bilateral cooperation in key areas including technology, healthcare, security, innovation and economic development.
As artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries across the world, stakeholders at the event agreed that partnerships focused on knowledge sharing and innovation could play a crucial role in preparing Nigerian entrepreneurs for the opportunities of the digital economy.
