Abuja, Nigeria – February 25, 2025 – The Nigerian government has launched a strategic partnership with global technology giants to strengthen the country’s cloud infrastructure and attract hyperscale investments, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has announced.
The collaboration, which forms part of the newly inaugurated Technical Working Group on National Cloud Infrastructure, includes leading tech firms such as Google, AWS, IBM, Oracle, Microsoft, Huawei Cloud, Equinix, Kasi, Rack Centre, and Africa Data Centres. Also involved are several data centre operators and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission.
The primary objective of the group is to develop strategies to enhance data accuracy, improve regulatory frameworks, and create investment incentives to position Nigeria as a key player in the global digital economy.
Building a Foundation for Digital Sovereignty
Speaking at the group’s inauguration, NITDA’s Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa, stressed the importance of a strong cloud ecosystem as a foundation for digital sovereignty.
“Without this foundation, we cannot achieve true digital sovereignty,” Inuwa stated.
“Our goal is to build an ecosystem where both local data centre providers can scale, and global hyperscalers see Nigeria as a viable investment destination.”
Inuwa pointed out that the lack of accurate data on Nigeria’s IT infrastructure remains a major challenge.
“Africa accounts for nearly 19 per cent of the world’s population but hosts less than one per cent of global data centres. Without clear data on our infrastructure, attracting investment becomes difficult.”
Addressing Challenges and Driving Regulatory Reforms
To tackle these issues, NITDA has commissioned research to assess Nigeria’s digital landscape, identifying key areas for:
- Regulatory reforms
- Investment incentives
- Public-private collaboration
Additionally, global consultants have been engaged to help refine strategies for cloud development.
NITDA called on industry experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to actively contribute to shaping Nigeria’s cloud infrastructure and digital future.
“With collective effort, Nigeria can emerge as the premier digital hub for West and Central Africa,” Inuwa emphasized.
Regulatory and Capacity-Building Efforts
Echoing Inuwa’s views, Acting Director of Regulation and Compliance, Barrister Emmanuel Edet, highlighted the critical role of regulatory intervention in fostering a robust digital economy.
“Our objective is to establish policies and legal frameworks that support cloud development, enabling us to securely host and manage our data. This is crucial for the growth of our digital economy,” he said.
He also underscored the need for capacity building to ensure that Nigerian professionals are equipped with top-tier training and expertise to maximize digital technology opportunities.
“Equipping ourselves with the right expertise is essential to fully leverage digital technologies.”
Shaping Nigeria’s Role in the Global Digital Space
Edet called on all stakeholders to collaborate in shaping Nigeria’s digital future, stressing the need for a widely accepted framework that aligns with national interests.
“Together, we must develop a framework that reflects our national interests. This effort will define Nigeria’s role in the global digital arena,” he added.
With this initiative, Nigeria is positioning itself as a leading destination for digital investments while working towards strengthening its cloud infrastructure to compete on the global stage.