From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
The Federal Government has unveiled a new National Digital Cloud Policy, targeting $750 million in private investment in Nigeria’s cloud and data infrastructure within the next two years.
The policy was contained in a statement signed by the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, on Monday.
According to the minister, the policy is designed to attract local and foreign investors, boost Nigeria’s digital infrastructure and position the country as a major digital services hub in West Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa.
The government is targeting $250 million in private investment in the first 12 months and $750 million within 24 months.
The policy focuses on four key areas: attracting investment in cloud and data centres, promoting Nigeria as a regional digital services hub, moving government agencies to cloud services and protecting sensitive government and regulated data.
Tijani said the government would maintain an open and competitive cloud market where both Nigerian and international companies can operate.
He said the government would not impose general data localisation requirements on commercial data, but would apply stricter rules to sensitive government and regulated data.
A major part of the policy according to him, is the government’s plan to adopt a stronger “Cloud First” approach across its ministries, departments and agencies. Under the arrangement, he said the government will combine its demand for cloud services and procure capacity from registered providers.
Tijani said this would reduce duplication, cut costs and provide a steady market for investors in Nigeria’s cloud infrastructure. He noted that the policy will also introduce a National Digital Marketplace for the transparent procurement of cloud and other digital infrastructure services.
To attract investment, the Minister said the government plans to provide fiscal and regulatory incentives for qualifying cloud and data infrastructure projects. It will also introduce measures to address energy challenges and encourage technology transfer and skills development.
Tijani said cloud and data infrastructure had become critical to sectors such as artificial intelligence, banking, healthcare, education, digital government and commerce. He said Nigeria must move from being mainly a consumer of global cloud services to becoming a country where cloud infrastructure, investment, skills and digital services are developed and exported.
The policy, he disclosed will be implemented through a 24-month roadmap. The first six months will focus on putting the policy structures in place, while subsequent phases will involve migrating government agencies, expanding infrastructure and developing Nigeria’s regional digital services market.
The Minister said the policy would complement its digital infrastructure and skills programmes, including Project BRIDGE, which targets 90,000 kilometres of additional fibre-optic infrastructure, and the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme. He said the ultimate goal was to create more investment, jobs, digital services and export opportunities while strengthening Nigeria’s position as a leading digital infrastructure hub in Africa.
According to him, “Nigeria must move from being primarily a consumer of global cloud infrastructure to becoming a competitive location for the infrastructure, investment, skills and digital services that will define the next phase of the global digital economy.
“Our approach is deliberately open and investment-oriented. We want Nigerian and international providers to invest, build capacity, develop talent and serve both the Nigerian market and the wider African continent from Nigeria. At the same time, Government has a responsibility to ensure that its most sensitive digital assets are governed and secured in a manner consistent with our national interests.
“The National Digital Cloud Policy therefore provides a balanced framework, one that promotes investment and competition, strengthens indigenous capability, modernises Government and applies sovereignty requirements only where they are genuinely necessary.”
(The Sun)