What's happened
Multiple countries in the Middle East and Africa are advancing AI strategies and financial reforms. The UK plans to re-establish a civil service training school focused on AI, Nigeria is launching a microfinance bank leveraging payment data, and Arab nations are investing heavily in AI infrastructure and regulation amid geopolitical shifts.
What's behind the headline?
The UK’s plan to reopen a 'school of government' for civil servants signals a recognition that modern governance requires advanced skills in AI, data, and digital management. This move aims to rebuild in-house capacity, reduce reliance on external consultants, and foster innovation within Whitehall. Nigeria’s entry into banking with a microfinance license exemplifies a strategic shift from payments infrastructure to full financial services, leveraging real-time payment data to address a $32 billion SME credit gap. This approach will likely intensify competition among fintech and traditional banks, while also increasing financial inclusion. Arab nations’ heavy investments in AI—such as Qatar’s partnership model, Saudi Arabia’s $100bn fund, and the UAE’s ambitious digital goals—highlight a regional race to harness AI for economic diversification and geopolitical influence. Lebanon’s partnership with Oracle underscores a broader trend of dependency on foreign tech giants, which risks long-term control over digital infrastructure. Overall, these developments demonstrate a regional prioritization of AI and digital finance as tools for economic resilience, geopolitical positioning, and public sector modernization. The next decade will see these strategies shape regional power dynamics and influence global AI and financial markets.
What the papers say
The Guardian reports the UK government’s plan to re-establish a 'school of government' focused on AI and modern civil service training, emphasizing in-house capacity building and efficiency reforms. All Africa details Nigeria’s launch of a microfinance bank to leverage payment data for higher-margin financial services, addressing a significant SME credit gap and shifting Nigeria’s financial ecosystem. The Times of Israel highlights Syria’s post-sanctions banking sector revival through Qatari investment, signaling regional economic realignment. The New Arab discusses Lebanon’s partnership with Oracle for digital skills training amid institutional weakness, raising concerns about dependency on foreign tech giants. Additionally, The New Arab covers Arab nations’ strategic AI investments, including Qatar’s partnership model, Saudi Arabia’s $100bn fund, and the UAE’s digital ambitions, illustrating a regional race for AI dominance and economic diversification.
How we got here
Recent developments reflect a broader push for digital transformation and AI adoption across the Middle East and Africa. The UK is reviving its civil service training to include AI skills after decades of disinvestment. Nigeria is moving into higher-margin financial services with a new microfinance bank, responding to a significant SME financing gap. Arab nations are formulating strategic AI plans to diversify economies and improve public services, driven by geopolitical ambitions and economic diversification goals.
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Nigeria, officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a sovereign country located in West Africa bordering Niger in the north, Chad in the northeast, Cameroon in the east, and Benin in the west.