Nigeria has moved to accelerate its ambition of becoming a leading digital economy with the unveiling of a new artificial intelligence-driven infrastructure initiative by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in partnership with the International Data Center Authority (IDCA).

The initiative, which focuses on the development of 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 issued on Wednesday by NITDA’s Director of Corporate Communications and Global Head of Strategic Services, Media Relations Department, Hadiza Umar, the agency 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.

At the centre of the plan is the “Nigeria Digital Triangle (NDT),” a network of hyperscale, AI-enabled data centre clusters strategically located across the country.

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 masterplan 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.

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

“This initiative represents a defining moment in Nigeria’s economic transformation, reaffirming the government’s commitment to advancing the Digital Economy and Data Sovereignty Agenda,” Inuwa said.

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

“By working with the leading experts of IDCA and members of the National Sovereign Cloud Initiative Technical Working Group, Nigeria is laying a strong foundation for sustainable infrastructure growth, job creation, global competitiveness, and innovation-driven, inclusive development,” he said.

Chairman of IDCA, Mehdi Paryavi, said Nigeria’s economic size and population give 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.

He added that the integration of digital infrastructure, standards and talent development would enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global digital ecosystem.

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.

“Nigeria is taking a decisive step toward becoming a regional digital powerhouse. This is a structured, investment-ready approach that aligns strategy with execution and global best practices,” he said.

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

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

The initiative is expected to be implemented over a three-year period, with clear milestones and active participation from government institutions, private sector players and international partners.

NITDA said the project shows Nigeria’s broader strategy of leveraging digital infrastructure to drive economic diversification, innovation, and global integration.