The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has entered into a strategic partnership with the International Data Center Authority (IDCA) to launch a large-scale national digital infrastructure programme.
This collaboration aims to transform Nigeria into a fully integrated digital economy ecosystem by mobilizing local and international investment.
Announcing this in a statement, Kashifu Inuwa, Director General of NITDA, described the MoU as a defining moment for Nigeria’s data sovereignty. “By prioritizing digital infrastructure, talent, and AI, Nigeria is laying a strong foundation for sustainable growth, job creation, and global competitiveness,” Inuwa stated.
Also commenting, Mehdi Paryavi, Chairman of IDCA, emphasized Nigeria’s role as Africa’s largest economy, noting that the platform is designed for long-term value creation. “Nigeria is building a competitive advantage in the global digital economy by integrating infrastructure, standards, and talent with the right policymaking,” he added.
The initiative is a core component of the Nigerian Sovereign Cloud strategy, designed to unify infrastructure deployment, regulatory standards, and workforce development into a single investment-driven framework.
At the heart of this programme is the Nigeria Digital Triangle, a network of strategically positioned, AI-enabled hyperscale data center clusters. These hubs will act as the backbone for the country’s digital economy, hosting global cloud workloads and anchoring large-scale technology investments.
The programme is built upon four integrated pillars:
- National Masterplan: A roadmap with clearly defined economic milestones.
- Hyperscale Infrastructure: Development of interconnected digital hubs.
- National Standards: Implementation of technical benchmarks aligned with global best practices.
- Workforce Development: A structured education system to build long-term local capacity.
Meanwhile, supporting the regulatory aspect, Barrister Emmanuel Edet, Acting Director of Regulations and Compliance at NITDA, noted that establishing nationally endorsed standards alongside physical infrastructure is fundamental to ensuring data security and regulatory consistency.
The ambitious initiative will be rolled out over three years. It features structured milestones and requires active engagement between the Nigerian government, the private sector, and international partners to ensure the vision is translated into measurable economic outcomes.