Nigeria is set to overhaul its corporate registration system with artificial intelligence, as the country moves to slash red tape and bolster security against hackers.
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has pledged to embed AI technology into the operations of the Corporate Affairs Commission (Commission), the body responsible for registering businesses in Africa’s largest economy. The announcement was made by NITDA Director General Kashifu Inuwa during the Commission’s 35th-anniversary celebrations in Abuja on Tuesday.
Key highlights of the AI shift:
Faster registration: Building on reforms that have already cut registration times from months to 24 hours, AI will further automate name searches and filings.
Security boost: Advanced tools will be deployed to prevent “fraudulent alterations” of company records and protect the system from cyberattacks.
Smart workflows: AI will be integrated into core processes to simplify how Nigerians manage their businesses and interact with the government.
“Ethical and responsible
Mr Inuwa told the gathering that while the Commission had shown “uncommon resilience” over three decades, the current era demanded a move beyond basic digitisation.”We are in the AI era, and the only way to transform today is to embrace and integrate AI into your operations,” he said. However, he stressed that the rollout would be controlled: “At NITDA, we will make sure you deploy ethical and responsible AI in your operations, with the right guardrails in place.”
The broader impact
For years, starting a business in Nigeria was hampered by bureaucratic bottlenecks and manual paperwork. The move toward an AI-driven “power shift” is seen as a crucial step in improving the country’s ease-of-doing-business ranking.
By automating corporate governance and filings, the government hopes to create a more transparent environment for both local entrepreneurs and international investors. NITDA is currently reviewing the Commission’s digital roadmap to provide the necessary training and standards for the transition.
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