The Israeli government has pledged to deepen its collaboration with Nigeria in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), with a focus on promoting innovation, entrepreneurship and job creation.

The commitment was made by Israel’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, during the closing ceremony of the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Bootcamp 2026 held in Abuja.

The four-day programme, organised by Innov8 Hub under the theme “From Ideas to Impact: Building AI-Enabled Ventures for the Future,” brought together startup founders, innovators, researchers and entrepreneurs for intensive training on AI-driven business development and innovation.

Addressing participants, Freeman said Israel has adopted an ambitious strategy aimed at positioning itself among the world’s leading AI nations and is prepared to share its expertise with Nigeria through existing and future partnerships.

According to him, the collaboration will extend beyond current initiatives and create additional opportunities for knowledge exchange between both countries.

He emphasized that Israel intends to continue working with Nigerian institutions and stakeholders to promote technological advancement and build a stronger foundation for innovation-driven growth.

The ambassador described the initiative as the beginning of a more strategic partnership in the artificial intelligence sector, noting that both countries stand to benefit from deeper cooperation.

Freeman also challenged the perception that AI would primarily lead to job losses. Instead, he argued that the technology can serve as a catalyst for business expansion, productivity improvements and employment generation.

He said AI provides Africans with an opportunity to develop solutions tailored to local challenges while ensuring that African perspectives are represented in the global evolution of emerging technologies.

According to him, increased engagement with AI will strengthen Nigeria’s voice in shaping future technological developments and position the country to take advantage of new economic opportunities.

The envoy further encouraged young Nigerians to pursue their ambitions within the country, stressing that Nigeria offers significant opportunities for growth and success.

Earlier, a lead facilitator from Unistream, Dor Yaakov, praised participants for their creativity and innovative thinking throughout the programme.

He noted that many of the ideas presented addressed pressing challenges in sectors such as education, healthcare, agriculture, sustainability and community development.

Yaakov expressed confidence that some of the solutions developed by Nigerian entrepreneurs could evolve into globally successful startups capable of solving problems for millions of people around the world.

He also commended Innov8 Hub for creating an environment that encourages innovation and entrepreneurial growth.

Speaking with journalists after the event, the Managing Director of Innov8 Hub, Gregory Ibe Jr., described the bootcamp as a unique initiative designed to help businesses leverage AI to improve productivity and create employment opportunities.

According to him, the programme focused on demonstrating how artificial intelligence can be used to strengthen businesses, increase efficiency and expand economic opportunities rather than replace workers.

Ibe explained that about 20 teams participated in the training alongside members of the organisation’s staff, expressing optimism that the partnership and knowledge-sharing initiatives would continue in the future.

The renewed commitment to AI collaboration comes amid broader efforts by Nigeria and Israel to strengthen bilateral relations, with both countries recently reaffirming their interest in expanding cooperation in areas including security, healthcare, technology and economic development.