**Nvidia's Elite AI Chip Still Off-Limits to China Despite Relaxed Rules** In a move that's got the tech world watching, high-end Nvidia chip sales to Chinese companies are still being held back, despite Washington's softened export restrictions. The H200 chip, capable of training and running complex artificial intelligence systems, was previously off-limits to Beijing due to national security concerns. The US government, however, recently agreed to ease these restrictions under a deal brokered by Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping last December. The move has sparked warnings from lawmakers, who fear that it could give Chinese military forces a leg up in the tech game. According to a US Commerce Department official, not a single H200 chip has been sold to Chinese end-users so far. The chip, which will see Washington receive a 25 percent share of sales, has been a major point of contention between the two nations. The Chinese government has been actively working to catch up with Nvidia, the world's most valuable company, in the chip development and production space. Beijing's ambitions are aimed at rivaling Nvidia's industry-leading designs, and the stakes are high. Nvidia's CEO, Jensen Huang, has expressed optimism about the H200 deal, saying that the company is finalizing the necessary licenses and hopes to see the chip sold in China. He has also acknowledged the challenges posed by China's strong chip companies, emphasizing Nvidia's need to compete vigorously. Despite the H200 breakthrough, Nvidia's top-of-the-range chips, including the Blackwell and Rubin series, remain off-limits to Chinese buyers. As the global tech landscape continues to evolve, the sale of these chips will be closely watched by experts and policymakers alike. As Nigeria looks to develop its own tech sector, the implications of this story are worth noting. Nigeria's own ambitions to become a major player in the African tech scene will depend on its ability to balance competing interests and navigate the complex web of global trade and security regulations.