The Federal Government has set a target of attracting $750 million in private investment within two years as it moves to expand Nigeria’s cloud and data infrastructure under its new National Digital Cloud Policy.
The policy, developed by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, provides a framework for the development, regulation and adoption of cloud services across the country.
Under the 24-month implementation plan, the government aims to attract $250 million in private investment within the first 12 months, with the figure expected to rise to $750 million by the end of the 24-month implementation period.
The policy is also expected to position Nigeria as a major cloud computing, data-hosting hub, and digital services hub for West Africa and the wider African market.
According to the ministry, the initiative will support investment in cloud and data-centre infrastructure, create jobs, build local digital capacity and expand Nigeria’s digital service exports.
Implementation will take place in phases, as they said the first six months will focus on policy activation, baseline assessments, institutional arrangements and investment facilitation.
From the sixth and 12th months, the government will launch a National Digital Marketplace, begin the migration of selected ministries, departments, and agencies to cloud services, register providers, and develop regional markets.
Then the final year will be focused on expanding government migration, bringing participating states into the programme, strengthening regional interconnection and increasing digital service exports.
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Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, said cloud and data infrastructure had become essential to sectors including artificial intelligence, financial services, healthcare, education and digital government.
“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,” he said.
He added that the policy was designed to encourage both Nigerian and international technology companies to invest in infrastructure and talent while ensuring that sensitive government data is properly protected.
The ministry said the policy would complement other digital infrastructure projects, including Project Bridge, which targets the deployment of at least 90,000 kilometres of additional fibre-optic infrastructure.
The government says the combination of expanded connectivity, cloud infrastructure and a growing technology workforce could strengthen Nigeria’s position as a regional digital hub.
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Cecilia Attah is a tech analyst with a degree from Benue State University. She covers tech news and startups at TechRegard with a focus on how technology is transforming Africa and shaping the global landscape.
