NITDA, IDCA Formalise 3-Year Digital Infrastructure Partnership
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NITDA, IDCA Formalise 3-Year Digital Infrastructure Partnership
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA and the International Data Center Authority, IDCA have inked a three-year digital infrastructure programme aimed at accelerating Nigeria’s transition into a fully integrated digital economy ecosystem.
The initiative, unveiled under a strategic partnership between both organisations, is expected to drive large-scale investment in digital infrastructure, strengthen data sovereignty, and position Nigeria as a regional hub for cloud computing, Artificial Intelligence, and enterprise digital services.
At the centre of the programme is the proposed “Nigeria Digital Triangle,” a network of hyperscale, AI-enabled data centre clusters strategically located to host global cloud and enterprise workloads while supporting the country’s growing digital economy.
According to a statement jointly signed by the Director of Corporate Communications and Media Relations at National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, Hadiza Umar, and the Global Head of Strategic Services and Head of Europe and Africa at IDCA, Solomon Edun, the programme will be implemented with clearly defined milestones and coordinated engagement involving government institutions, private investors, and international stakeholders.
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The statement noted that the initiative aligns with Nigeria’s Sovereign Cloud agenda and is designed to establish an execution-led and investment-driven framework that integrates infrastructure deployment, regulatory standards, and workforce development into a unified national platform.
It added that the programme would focus on four major pillars, including the development of a national digital economy masterplan, deployment of interconnected hyperscale digital hubs, establishment of globally aligned digital standards, and a structured education and workforce development system to sustain long-term capability building.
Speaking on the development, the Director-General of National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, described the initiative as a landmark step in Nigeria’s economic transformation drive.
“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,” Inuwa said.
He added, “By 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.”
Chairman of the International Data Center Authority, IDCA, Mehdi Paryavi, said the programme would create long-term economic value for Nigeria and strengthen its competitive position within the global digital economy.
“This is more than a national initiative; it is a platform for long-term economic value creation. By integrating digital infrastructure, standards, and talent with investments and the right policymaking, Nigeria is building a competitive advantage in the global digital economy,” Paryavi stated.
Also speaking, Chief Research Officer at IDCA, Roger Strukhoff, said Nigeria was taking a decisive step towards becoming a regional digital powerhouse through the initiative.
“Nigeria is taking a decisive step toward becoming a regional digital powerhouse. This is a structured, investment-ready approach that aligns strategy with execution and global best practices,” he said.
Similarly, Solomon Edun said the programme was designed to convert long-standing digital ambitions into measurable outcomes through infrastructure expansion, investment attraction, and skills development.
“IDCA and Nigeria have worked for years to reach this point. This is a historic moment, and the programme is designed to translate vision into measurable outcomes,” Edun said.
Acting Director of Regulations and Compliance, Emmanuel Edet, emphasised the importance of regulatory consistency and technical standards in sustaining the initiative.
“The development of nationally endorsed standards alongside enabling physical infrastructure is fundamental to ensuring regulatory consistency, data security, and long-term sustainability,” Edet stated.
The organisations said the partnership further reinforces Nigeria’s commitment to leveraging digital infrastructure as a catalyst for economic diversification, innovation, and global integration.
