Nigeria Prioritizes Local Cloud Infrastructure with New National Policy
Nigeria has unveiled its National Digital Cloud Policy, a comprehensive framework designed to transform the country into a competitive hub for cloud services and digital infrastructure. The policy mandates that all new government systems prioritize local cloud solutions, potentially creating a significant market for domestic providers.
The initiative aims to address Nigeria’s current reliance on foreign cloud infrastructure, where over 90% of digital data is hosted offshore—resulting in an estimated $850 million annual capital flight. The government projects that this policy will expand the nation’s cloud and data center market to reach $782 million by 2031.
“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,” stated Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani.
The policy establishes several key provisions:
- Cloud by Default: All new government systems must be designed for cloud deployment unless specifically exempted
- Data Residency Requirements: Sensitive data (national security, financial, health) must be stored locally
- Centralized Procurement: Galaxy Backbone Limited will aggregate demand and negotiate framework agreements with providers
- National Digital Marketplace: A single platform for government agencies to procure cloud services
- Provider Registration: All cloud providers serving the public sector must register with NITDA