NITDA Inaugurates TWG to Boost Nigeria’s Digital Infrastructure
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NITDA Inaugurates TWG to Boost Nigeria’s Digital Infrastructure
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has taken a significant step towards bolstering Nigeria’s digital capabilities with the inauguration of the Technical Working Group (TWG) on National Cloud Infrastructure.
This strategic initiative aims to strengthen local cloud capabilities, attract hyper-scale investments, and position Nigeria as a leading technology hub in Africa.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, NITDA’s Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa, emphasized the critical need for accurate data and robust regulatory frameworks to support Nigeria’s digital transformation aspirations.
“Without a solid foundation of accurate data and effective regulatory frameworks, we cannot achieve true digital sovereignty,” he noted.
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Inuwa highlighted the stark disparity between Africa’s population and its hosting capacity for global data centers.
“Africa comprises nearly 19% of the world’s population, yet it hosts less than 1% of global data centers. This gap presents a significant opportunity for Nigeria to bridge the divide and emerge as a leading digital hub in Africa,” he said.
To address this challenge, NITDA commissioned a comprehensive research study to assess Nigeria’s digital landscape.
The findings of the study highlighted the need for improved regulatory frameworks, clearer investment incentives, and stronger public-private collaboration to drive Nigeria’s digital transformation.
NITDA has engaged global consultants to redefine its strategies for cloud development.
The agency is committed to creating an enabling environment that fosters innovation, attracts investments, and promotes the growth of Nigeria’s digital economy.
The TWG, comprising representatives from leading technology companies, including Google, AWS, IBM, Oracle, Microsoft, and Huawei, will play a crucial role in shaping Nigeria’s digital future.
The group will proffer measures to encourage the use of accurate data, recommend the enactment and compliance with enabling policies, and facilitate collaboration between stakeholders to drive Nigeria’s digital transformation.
Acting Director of Regulation and Compliance, Barrister Emmanuel Edet, underscored the importance of regulatory intervention in fostering a robust digital economy.
“Our objective is to establish policies and legal frameworks that support cloud development, enabling us to securely host and manage our data. This is crucial for the growth of our digital economy,” he said.
Edet emphasized the need for capacity building and training to ensure that Nigeria’s workforce has the necessary skills to leverage digital technologies effectively.
“Equipping ourselves with top-tier training and expertise is essential to fully leverage digital technologies and drive innovation,” he noted.
