The 2025 Bootcamp marked another defining milestone in DSN’s bold mission to train one million AI talents within ten years and position Africa as a global hub for inclusive and sustainable technological innovation.

This year’s edition attracted over 32,000 applications from across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, a record that underscores the growing national appetite for AI capacity development and the trust DSN has earned as the continent’s foremost AI learning and research non-profit.

Through a rigorous multi-stage process that assessed technical aptitude, problem-solving potential, and collaborative mindset, only 150 of the most outstanding learners emerged as finalists and were invited to the fully residential, all-expenses-paid Bootcamp hosted at the University of Lagos.

The Bootcamp’s curriculum was designed to deliver an end-to-end learning experience that merged technical depth with social impact. Participants explored cutting-edge themes such as Generative and Agentic AI, Geospatial Intelligence, Digital Public Infrastructure, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, and Responsible AI.

The training followed a structured model that progressed from foundational sessions to advanced project development, enabling participants to transition quickly from concept to deployable prototypes with real-world relevance.

The approach reflected DSN’s enduring philosophy of “learning, building, and sharing,” ensuring that every participant not only gained world-class knowledge but also understood how to apply it toward solving Africa’s most pressing challenges.

The Bootcamp was powered by a strong coalition of global partners and industry leaders, including Microsoft, Meta, MTN, Google DeepMind, Boaz Integrated Energy, Hyperspace, NVIDIA, NitHub, EqualyzAI, TechCabal, Askya Investment, the Fintech Association of Nigeria, and the University of Lagos. These organizations brought together expertise, resources, and mentorship, making the programme a world-class experience.

In all, 32 renowned experts from across the globe facilitated technical and strategy sessions, drawing from institutions such as the Gates Foundation, Microsoft, Google, Meta, Mastercard Foundation, Access Holdings Plc, Interswitch Group, MTN, PwC, PIC, ARM, the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, WorldPop, and the University of Southampton.

Among the high points of the Bootcamp were the masterclasses delivered by some of the most respected voices in technology and development.

Dr. Uyi Stewart, Chief Data and Technology Officer at Data.org, shared an inspiring keynote on “AI for Inclusive Growth,” emphasizing how data and technology can accelerate social progress.

Olubunmi Okunowo and Toyosi Odukoya led an engaging session on how open-source frameworks and Digital Public Infrastructure can enable national development and inclusive service delivery.

Dr. Chris Nnanatu’s presentation on “Powering Africa’s Growth with Location Intelligence” highlighted the transformative power of geospatial data for economic and environmental planning.

Collectively, these sessions underscored the thematic focus of this year’s Bootcamp, that Africa’s future in AI must be both inclusive and indigenous, built on solutions that reflect local realities and global best practices.

Beyond classroom learning, the participants participated in a high-impact Hackathon designed to convert theory into tangible solutions.

Working in multidisciplinary teams, the learners tackled real-world problems across healthcare, agriculture, financial inclusion, and public service delivery sectors.

One of the most inspiring moments came from EqualyzAI, a DSN-incubated startup, which showcased its pioneering work on localizing Small Language Models (SLMs) for African languages.

The demonstration aligned with DSN’s ongoing work in AI for social good and reflected the broader vision of building equitable digital futures for Africa’s linguistically diverse population.

The Bootcamp culminated in an awards ceremony celebrating excellence, creativity, and community spirit.

The DSN Community at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) emerged as the AI School of the Year, a recognition sponsored by Boaz Integrated Energy and Hyperspace, and received a $1,000 grant to establish a mini AI library that will serve as a lasting legacy of continuous learning on campus.

Individual awards also highlighted exceptional performance: the Mr. & Ms. Algorithm Awards, sponsored by Microsoft, celebrated participants who demonstrated commitment and core values of DSN Community; Best Academic Poster, sponsored by Google DeepMind; Best Hackathon Project, sponsored by MTN Foundation; and Best Project Participation, also supported by Microsoft, all rewarded brilliance and consistency with tiered cash prizes.

In addition, every participant received a Microsoft-sponsored certification voucher, a tangible step that enhances employability and global recognition in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.

Throughout the Bootcamp, industry partners played a visible role not only as sponsors but as co-educators, mentors, and advocates for inclusive innovation.

Their contributions underscored a shared belief that Africa’s competitiveness in the global digital economy depends on collective investment in human capital and home-grown innovation.

The partnership between DSN and Microsoft continued to provide the foundational bridge between learning and opportunity, through advanced skilling, access to certification, and exposure to real-world AI applications.

In his closing remarks, Dr. Olubayo Adekanmbi, Data Science Nigeria’s founder and chief executive officer, reflected on the transformative journey of the AI Bootcamp since its inception.

He described the 2025 edition as reaffirming the belief that Africa’s future will not be imported but intelligently built by its people.

He urged participants to act as ambassadors of knowledge, extend the mentorship culture, and replicate the Bootcamp’s impact within their local communities.

“We have built not just coders but catalysts, people who will use AI to solve Africa’s most pressing challenges,” he said. “As you have freely received, freely give.”

The 8th Data Science Nigeria AI Bootcamp is a powerful testament to the potential of strategic collaboration, purposeful learning, and inclusive access.

It represents a generation of young innovators equipped with technical competence and a shared vision of using AI as a tool for national transformation and global relevance.

As the participants return to their campuses, startups, and communities, they carry the collective energy of an ecosystem determined to make AI work for all, ensuring that Africa’s intelligence revolution remains open, inclusive, and transformative.

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With a budget of $500 billion over the next four years, the project aims to enhance computing capacity, create hundreds of thousands of jobs, and strengthen national security. 

An initial $100 billion will be deployed immediately, starting with a flagship data centre project in Texas.

SoftBank and OpenAI are the lead partners, with SoftBank handling financial responsibilities and OpenAI overseeing operations. 

Masayoshi Son, SoftBank’s CEO, has been named chairman of Stargate, with major stakeholders including MGX, NVIDIA, Arm, and Microsoft. Speaking about the scale of the project, Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison said, “Each building is a half a million square feet. There are 10 buildings currently being built.”

The Stargate initiative has already begun construction in Texas, marking the launch of its first data centre, which will eventually expand to other states. These facilities will include cutting-edge AI computing systems developed collaboratively by OpenAI, NVIDIA, and Oracle. 

The partners have also announced plans to scale up to 20 data centre installations by 2029, evaluating additional sites across the country to accommodate future expansion. Reports reveal that these data centres will include innovative AI chips designed by OpenAI, with semiconductor giants Broadcom and TSMC involved in chip production.

A Network of Collaborations

The project builds on longstanding partnerships. OpenAI and NVIDIA have collaborated since 2016, while OpenAI’s relationship with Microsoft has grown through its extensive use of Microsoft Azure for AI model training. Oracle’s existing agreements to supply AI computing resources also strengthen its role in the venture.

SoftBank’s deep involvement in OpenAI predates this project as the company previously committed $500 million to OpenAI’s funding round and an additional $1.5 billion to facilitate a tender offer for its employees. Again, Middle East AI fund MGX, which has invested in OpenAI, will also be leveraged in Stargate.

While the Stargate Project has good prospects, issues about environmental and social impacts haven’t been ignored. Data centres, known for their heavy water usage and high energy consumption, could stress resources in regions with limited infrastructure. Issues about the long-term job creation promised by similar large-scale projects have also been raised.

Nonetheless, experts like Goldman Sachs projects that AI-related data centre demand will account for nearly 19% of total power consumption by 2028, noting the sector’s quick expansion. A McKinsey report forecasts that spending on data centre infrastructure could exceed $250 billion within the next five years.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has called for fewer regulatory limitations to accelerate the development of critical infrastructure projects in the United States. Highlighting challenges in an interview, Altman said, “The thing I really deeply agree with [President Trump] on is, it is wild how difficult it has become to build things in the United States… Power plants, data centres, any of that kind of stuff. I understand how bureaucratic cruft builds up, but it’s not helpful to the country in general.”

Nonetheless, the Stargate Project has garnered support from stakeholders and government officials. Hence, with a focus on re-industrialisation and innovation, the initiative is expected to bolster AI infrastructure and boost the United States’ innovation in global AI leverage.

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This program is designed to support the vibrant startup ecosystem in Nigeria by providing selected startups with funding, workspace, mentorship from industry experts, and access to an investor network. 

Benefits

• Funding: Selected startups will receive up to $50,000 in funding to support their growth and development. This funding can be utilized for various purposes such as product development, talent acquisition, marketing, and expansion
• Workspace: Successful applicants will have access to a state-of-the-art office workspace, providing a conducive environment for their teams to thrive and collaborate
• Mentorship: Participating startups will receive hands-on mentorship from industry experts who will guide and support them in key areas such as product development, sales, marketing, and fundraising. This mentorship will help enhance their chances of success
• Investor Network: Selected startups will gain access to an extensive investor network, opening doors to potential funding opportunities and enabling them to scale their businesses effectively

Eligibility

Nigerian startups operating in the following sectors are eligible to apply for the ARM Labs Innovation Program:

• FinTech: Startups leveraging technology to innovate and improve financial services and systems.
• PenTech (Pension Tech): Startups focused on creating solutions related to pension technology and services.
• Data Intelligence: Startups utilizing data analytics, artificial intelligence, or machine learning to derive insights and drive informed decision-making.
• Digital Trade: Startups involved in digital trade, including e-commerce, online marketplaces, logistics, and related areas.

These startups should have a well-rounded, complementary team for product vision (what to build), technology (how to build it), and business (how to make money from it) and should be solving an important problem for a highly engaged set of customers.

How to Apply

Applications for the 5th cohort of the ARM Labs Innovation Program are now open and will close on Thursday, June 15, 2023. Don’t miss this opportunity to accelerate the growth of your startup and gain access to valuable resources and support. Apply now and take your startup to new heights with the ARM Labs Innovation Program!

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