In a strategic move to enhance Nigeria’s digital infrastructure, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has inaugurated a Technical Working Group (TWG) on National Cloud Infrastructure. The initiative aims to strengthen local cloud capabilities, attract hyperscale investments, and position Nigeria as a leading technology hub in Africa.
Speaking at the inauguration, NITDA’s Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, underscored the need for accurate data and regulatory frameworks to support the nation’s digital transformation. “Without this foundation, we cannot achieve true digital sovereignty. 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,” he stated.
Inuwa highlighted a major challenge—Africa, despite comprising nearly 19% of the global population, hosts less than 1% of the world’s data centres. He noted that this disparity, coupled with insufficient insights into Nigeria’s existing IT infrastructure, poses a barrier to attracting foreign investments. To address this, NITDA commissioned comprehensive research on Nigeria’s digital landscape, revealing the need for improved regulations, clearer investment incentives, and stronger public-private collaboration.
The agency has since engaged global consultants to redefine strategies for cloud development. Inuwa called on industry experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to contribute their expertise, stating that collective effort could establish Nigeria as the premier digital hub for West and Central Africa.
Echoing Inuwa’s sentiments, NITDA’s Acting Director of Regulation and Compliance, Barrister Emmanuel Edet, stressed the importance of regulatory frameworks in driving digital transformation. “Our objective is to establish policies and legal structures that support cloud development, ensuring secure data management. This is crucial for the growth of our digital economy,” he said.
Edet also emphasized capacity building, calling for advanced training and expertise in digital technologies. He urged stakeholders to actively participate in shaping Nigeria’s digital future. “We must develop a framework that reflects our national interests and is widely accepted. This effort will define Nigeria’s role in the global digital arena,” he added.
The TWG, comprising major industry players such as Google, AWS, IBM, Oracle, Microsoft, Huawei Cloud, Equinix, Kasi, Rack Centre, Africa Data Centres, and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, will work to encourage data-driven policies, promote regulatory compliance, and attract investment in cloud infrastructure.
With this initiative, NITDA is setting the stage for a stronger digital ecosystem, ensuring Nigeria remains competitive in the evolving global tech landscape.
