The Federal Government has unveiled a National Digital Cloud Policy aimed at attracting global technology investment, expanding Nigeria’s cloud and data infrastructure, and positioning the country as a regional hub for digital services.

The policy, unveiled by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, is also designed to modernise government services, create jobs, strengthen local digital capabilities and protect sensitive government data.

Signing the statement announcing the policy yesterday, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr ‘Bosun Tijani, said cloud and data infrastructure had become critical economic infrastructure, supporting sectors including artificial intelligence, financial services, healthcare, education, commerce and digital government.

He said Nigeria must take advantage of its large domestic market, growing broadband infrastructure, international connectivity and expanding technology talent base to attract investment into cloud infrastructure and increase its digital service exports.

“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, Tijani said.

The policy establishes four broad priorities: attracting investment into data centres and cloud infrastructure; positioning Nigeria as a regional digital services and hosting hub; transforming government through greater use of cloud services; and strengthening digital sovereignty and security.

According to the minister, the framework is deliberately designed to maintain an open and competitive cloud market, allowing both domestic and international providers to participate.

He said the government would not impose general data localisation requirements on commercial data, with sovereignty requirements restricted to defined categories of government and regulated data where national control is necessary.

“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,” he said.

Tijani said the policy would also address the need to protect the country’s most sensitive digital assets while creating room for investment and competition.

“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,” he said.

Under the framework, cloud requirements from different ministries, departments and agencies will be combined to secure better commercial terms and reduce duplicated expenditure.

The government will also establish a National Digital Marketplace for coordinated and transparent procurement of cloud and digital infrastructure services.