The Nigerian government has introduced a National digital Cloud Policy targeting $750 million in private investment over the next 24 months.
Unveiled by the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, the initiative aims to expand local cloud and data centre capacity, create jobs, and establish Nigeria as a regional hub for data hosting and digital services.
The policy framework targets an initial $250 million in private investment within the first 12 months, before reaching the $750 million mark by the end of the second year.
Nigeria must move from being predominantly a consumer of foreign cloud infrastructure to becoming a base for investment, infrastructure development, talent and digital service exports, according to Bosun Tijani, minister of communications, innovation and digital economy.
The government will maintain an open market for local and international cloud providers while applying targeted sovereignty requirements to sensitive government and regulated information.
Commercial data will not be subject to blanket localisation requirements.
Incentives under the policy address taxation, regulation, energy, technology transfer and skills development to encourage local capacity building. The policy will also pool cloud demand across government ministries to cut costs and reduce duplication.
The framework strengthens the government’s “Cloud First” approach, with the National Information Technology Development Agency responsible for regulation and standards, while Galaxy Backbone will manage shared infrastructure and operational delivery.
The Bureau of Public Procurement will oversee procurement compliance.
The initiative complements Project BRIDGE’s planned 90 000 km fibre expansion and the 3 Million Technical Talent programme, creating a broader foundation for Nigeria’s digital economy.