The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund has called on African businesses to combine artificial intelligence adoption with stronger workplace protection and social security systems.

NSITF Managing Director Oluwaseun Faleye made the call at the launch of the free MSMEs AI Master Training Programme organised by the ECOWAS Small Business Coalition, InnoPower LLC and the United Nations Development Programme in Abuja.

Faleye said micro, small and medium enterprises account for about 96 per cent of Nigerian businesses and support millions of livelihoods. He described the training as an investment in West Africa’s future competitiveness but warned that technology alone could not guarantee resilience.

According to him, digital transformation and employee welfare must be treated as part of the same business strategy. He said enterprises that modernise operations without protecting their workers remain vulnerable despite their technological progress.

He urged participating entrepreneurs to continue learning, innovate boldly and regard their employees as their most important assets. NSITF, he added, would support growing businesses through stronger partnerships, awareness and improved service delivery.