China Unveils 5,000 AI Training Opportunities For Nigeria, Others

Nigeria and other developing countries are poised to benefit from 5,000 Artificial Intelligence (AI) training opportunities made available by the Chinese government over the next five years in a bid to bridge the digital divide in an increasingly digital world.

Chinese President Xi Jinping made this announcement on Friday during the opening ceremony of the 2026 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai.

According to a statement issued on Saturday by the Chinese Embassy in Abuja, President Xi also announced plans to establish international AI application cooperation centres with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the African Union (AU), the League of Arab States, the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), and BRICS.

The Chinese leader noted that the initiative would strengthen AI capacity in the Global South and promote equitable access to emerging technologies.

“AI development should not be a solo performance by a single country, but a symphony of international cooperation,” Xi said.

He also announced that the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (WAICO), first proposed by China last year, has officially been established in Shanghai, describing it as a major milestone in global AI governance and a response to calls from developing countries for a more inclusive international AI framework.

Xi reeled out four principles for global AI governance even as he admonished countries to promote open innovation, strengthen AI safety and security, encourage inclusiveness and cultural diversity, and improve multilateral governance under the United Nations.

He, however, told the global community to be more cautious in their use of AI, saying that it offers unprecedented opportunities for economic and social development, but also presents security, ethical and governance risks that require coordinated international action.

“AI should be a trusted tool for humanity,” Xi said, calling for stronger laws, regulatory frameworks, technological monitoring, early warning systems and emergency response mechanisms to prevent abuse and ensure AI remains under human control.

Xi also warned against expanding national security restrictions in ways that hinder international AI cooperation, stressing that China has made AI a key driver of its economic transformation. He added that the country’s core smart-economy industries are now worth more than one trillion Yuan, stressing that AI applications are increasingly improving manufacturing, public services, and daily life.

He added that China has continued to strengthen its AI regulatory framework, ethical standards and governance mechanisms to ensure the technology develops safely and responsibly.

Highlighting China’s international role, Xi said Beijing has promoted the adoption of a United Nations General Assembly resolution on AI capacity building, launched the AI Capacity Building Action Plan for Good and for All, and introduced the AI Plus International Cooperation Initiative.

In a similar development, the Chinese leader announced that China would enable 30 countries to access its AI-powered meteorological warning system, MAZU, to improve disaster preparedness and protect vulnerable communities.

He called on the international community to work together to ensure AI advances sustainable development rather than widening global inequalities.

“As AI advances at a staggering speed, we must ensure its development is for the positive, for good and for humanity.

“We should always guide AI development with human wisdom and international consensus so that AI can truly become a mighty force that increases the well-being of humanity and advances human civilisation,” he said.