NITDA, IDCA launch digital infrastructure initiative to position Nigeria Digital Economy

*The National Information Technology Development Agency says its strategic partnership with the International Data Centre Authority is in line with the country’s Nigerian Sovereign Cloud initiative to establish an execution-led, investment-driven framework harmonising infrastructure deployment, regulatory standards, and workforce development into a unified national platform, designed to mobilise capital and accelerate long-term economic value creation

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

Nigeria’s National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and International Data Centre Authority (IDCA) have signed a strategic partnership to jointly work together with other ecosystem players, both local and international for a large-scale national digital infrastructure programme in the West African country.

ConsumerConnect reports NITDA said the overarching aim of the national digital infrastructure initiative is to transform Nigeria into a fully integrated digital economy ecosystem.

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The Information Technology (IT) sector regulatory agency disclosed its partnership with the International Data Centre Authority is in consonance with the Nigerian Sovereign Cloud initiative.

It also noted that the Nigerian Sovereign Cloud project is aimed at establishing an execution-led, investment-driven framework that brings together infrastructure deployment, regulatory standards, and workforce development into a unified national platform designed to mobilise both public and private capital and accelerate long-term economic value creation.

The place of Nigeria Digital Triangle in project execution

According to NITDA, at the centre of the programme is the “Nigeria Digital Triangle (NDT)”, a network of strategically located hyperscale, AI-enabled data centre clusters intended to anchor investment, host global cloud and enterprise workloads, and serve as the backbone for Nigeria’s emerging digital economy.

The agency further explained the initiative is anchored on four integrated pillars: a national digital economy masterplan with defined milestones, hyperscale infrastructure development through interconnected digital hubs, national digital standards aligned with global best practices, and a structured education and workforce development system to sustain long-term capability building.

Inuwa: Government’s committed to advancing Nigeria Digital Economy, Data Sovereignty

Speaking on the initiative, Mrs. Hadiza Umar fnipr, Director, Corporate Communications and Media Relations at NITDA, and Solomon Edun, DCIE, DCOM, Global Head of Strategic Services, Head of Europe & Africa at IDCA, stated Malam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, Director-General of NITDA, said: “This initiative represents a defining moment in Nigeria’s economic transformation, reaffirming the government’s commitment to advancing the Digital Economy and Data Sovereignty Agenda.

“By working with the leading experts of IDCA and members of the National Sovereign Cloud Initiative Technical Working Group as the most advanced and credible think-tank, prioritising digital infrastructure, talent development, data sovereignty, artificial intelligence, and entrepreneurship, Nigeria is laying a strong foundation for sustainable infrastructure growth, job creation, global competitiveness, and innovation-driven, inclusive development.”

Nigeria remains largest economy in Africa: IDCA Chair

In his remarks also, the joint statement noted Mehdi Paryavi, Chairman of IDCA, said: “Nigeria is the largest economy in Africa.

“Nigeria is the largest economy in Africa and has the potential to become larger and more impactful to the lives of the people of Africa and beyond.”

Paryavi stated: “This is more than a national initiative – it is a platform for long-term economic value creation.

“By integrating digital infrastructure, standards, and talent, bundled with investments and the right policymaking, Nigeria is building a competitive advantage in the global digital economy.”

Roger Strukhoff, Chief Research Officer at IDCA, said: “Nigeria is taking a decisive step towards becoming a regional digital powerhouse.

IDCA is pleased to be fundamental to this historic economic evolution.

This is a structured, investment-ready approach that aligns strategy with execution and global best practices.”

Edun, Global Head of Strategic Services & Head of Europe and Africa, commented also: “IDCA and Nigeria have worked for years to reach this point.

“This is a historic moment, and the program is designed to translate vision into measurable outcomes.

“By focusing on infrastructure deployment, investment attraction, and skills development, we are enabling a scalable and sustainable digital ecosystem.”

In his contribution, Barrister Emmanuel Edet, Acting Director, Regulations and Compliance at NITDA, said: “The development of nationally endorsed standards, implemented in parallel with enabling physical infrastructure, is fundamental to ensuring regulatory consistency, data security, and long-term sustainability.

“This collaborative initiative between Nigeria and the International Data Center Authority establishes the requisite technical benchmarks and strategic governance framework to support effective.”

The two organisations disclosed the fresh  digital initiative would be implemented over a three-year period with defined milestones and structured engagements across government, private sector, and international partners.

The statement further explained: “This partnership reinforces Nigeria’s commitment to leveraging digital infrastructure as a driver of economic diversification, innovation, and global integration.”

About IDCA

International Data Centre Authority (IDCA) is the global bipartisan digital economy think-tank that works with nations to create AI policies, Digital Hubs and Digital Economies through the standardisation of the approach, selection, design, feasibility, operation, and various processes and methodologies of digital infrastructure and related processes and systems.

The global IDCA team works with its partners and affiliates worldwide to achieve the optimum delivery of its advanced services locally and effectively at every project.

IDCA is represented in more than 40 countries and active globally in the Americas, Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

About NITDA

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) was established in 2001 to implement Nigeria’s Information Technology Policy and coordinate national IT development.

The agency is mandated under the NITDA Act (2007) to develop, regulate, and provide a comprehensive framework for the planning, standardisation, application, and advancement of information technology across the country.

In line with its mission to drive digital transformation, foster inclusive economic growth, and build a digitally empowered nation, NITDA continues to promote the development of a robust digital economy through regulatory standards, policy frameworks, strategic partnerships, and capacity-building initiatives aimed at strengthening digital literacy, enabling innovation, expanding access to digital infrastructure, and supporting the growth of a globally competitive technology ecosystem.

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