Nigeria has moved to accelerate its ambition to become a leading digital economy with the unveiling of a new Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven infrastructure initiative by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), in partnership with the International Data Centre Authority (IDCA).

The initiative, which focuses on developing AI-enabled digital hubs across the country, is designed to strengthen national digital infrastructure, attract investment, and position Nigeria as a competitive player in the global digital economy.

In a statement, yesterday, NITDA’s Director of Corporate Communications and Global Head of Strategic Services, Media Relations Department, Hadiza Umar, said the partnership represents a major step toward building a unified and execution-focused digital ecosystem.

The programme is anchored on the Nigerian sovereign cloud initiative and is expected to integrate infrastructure deployment, regulatory standards, talent development and investment mobilisation into a coordinated national framework.

The hubs are expected to serve as the backbone for enterprise cloud services, data hosting, and advanced digital solutions supporting both public- and private-sector operations.

According to NITDA, the initiative is structured to attract both domestic and international capital while laying the foundation for long-term economic transformation through technology.

The programme is also built around four key pillars: a national digital economy master-plan with measurable milestones, hyperscale infrastructure development through interconnected digital hubs, the adoption of global digital standards, and a structured education and workforce development framework to support sustainable capacity building.

Meanwhile, Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, described the initiative as a defining moment in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey, noting that it reflects the government’s commitment to data sovereignty and innovation-led growth.

He added that the collaboration with IDCA and technical working groups would help to strengthen infrastructure development, talent creation, AI adoption, entrepreneurship, and inclusive economic growth.

Similarly, Chairman of IDCA, Mehdi Paryavi, said that Nigeria’s economic size and population gave it the potential to become a dominant force in Africa’s digital landscape and beyond.

“Nigeria is the largest economy in Africa and has the potential to become larger and more impactful to the lives of the people of Africa and beyond,” he said, describing the project as a long-term platform for economic value creation.

Chief Research Officer of IDCA, Roger Strukhoff, also described the initiative as a significant step toward building a regional digital powerhouse, saying it aligns with global best practices and investment-ready frameworks.

Global Head of Strategic Services and Head of Europe and Africa at IDCA, Solomon Edun, said the partnership reflects years of collaboration and a shared vision between the two institutions.

He said the initiative was designed to convert long-standing policy aspirations into measurable outcomes through structured implementation, infrastructure deployment and skills development.