The National Information Technology Development Agency and the International Data Center Authority have launched a major national digital infrastructure initiative aimed at positioning Nigeria as a leading digital economy hub in Africa.
The strategic partnership, unveiled in Abuja on Tuesday, is designed to accelerate Nigeria’s digital transformation through large-scale infrastructure deployment, regulatory standardisation, and workforce development under the Nigerian Sovereign Cloud initiative.
At the heart of the programme is the proposed “Nigeria Digital Triangle (NDT),” a network of hyperscale, AI-enabled data centre clusters expected to serve as the backbone for Nigeria’s emerging digital economy and attract global cloud and enterprise investments.
According to the partners, the initiative will operate through four key pillars, including the development of a national digital economy masterplan, establishment of interconnected digital hubs, implementation of globally aligned digital standards, and creation of a structured education and workforce development system.
Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, described the initiative as a defining moment in Nigeria’s economic transformation, saying it reflects government’s commitment to advancing the country’s digital economy and data sovereignty agenda.
He noted that the collaboration with IDCA and members of the National Sovereign Cloud Initiative Technical Working Group would help strengthen digital infrastructure, talent development, artificial intelligence adoption, entrepreneurship, and innovation-driven growth.
Chairman of IDCA, Mehdi Paryavi, said Nigeria possesses the potential to become a major force in the global digital economy due to its economic size and strategic position in Africa.
“This is more than a national initiative; it is a platform for long-term economic value creation,” he said, adding that the integration of infrastructure, standards, talent, investment, and policy would create a strong competitive advantage for Nigeria.
Chief Research Officer at IDCA, Roger Strukhoff, said the programme represents a decisive step toward making Nigeria a regional digital powerhouse through a structured and investment-ready framework aligned with global best practices.
Also speaking, Global Head of Strategic Services and Head of Europe and Africa at IDCA, Solomon Edun, described the initiative as historic, noting that years of collaboration between IDCA and Nigeria had culminated in a programme capable of translating vision into measurable outcomes.
Acting Director of Regulations and Compliance, Emmanuel Edet, emphasised the importance of nationally endorsed standards in ensuring regulatory consistency, data security, and long-term sustainability of the digital ecosystem.
The initiative is expected to be implemented over a three-year period with defined milestones and coordinated engagement involving government institutions, private sector players, and international partners.
NITDA said the partnership further reinforces Nigeria’s commitment to using digital infrastructure as a catalyst for economic diversification, innovation, and global competitiveness.
