NITDA Launches Taskforce to Drive Nigeria’s Sovereign Cloud Implementation 

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has inaugurated the National Sovereign Cloud Initiative Implementation Taskforce (NSCIITF) to coordinate the implementation of Nigeria’s sovereign cloud framework.

The agency said the taskforce would serve as the principal multi stakeholder mechanism for driving the National Sovereign Cloud Initiative (NSCI), marking a shift from policy and framework development to coordinated implementation.

According to NITDA, the initiative is designed to strengthen Nigeria’s digital sovereignty by developing a secure, resilient and competitive cloud and digital infrastructure ecosystem.

The agency said the NSCI would also strengthen the protection of critical digital assets while promoting innovation, indigenous capacity, private-sector investment and access to global technology.

The inauguration follows the development of regulatory, technical, assurance and investment instruments underpinning the initiative. These instruments provide the framework for cloud adoption, data governance, infrastructure assurance, technical standards and investment in Nigeria’s cloud and data-centre ecosystem.

NITDA said the NSCI-ITF would coordinate the implementation of the instruments and address cross-cutting challenges that could hinder the initiative.

Its key priorities include regulatory alignment, institutional coordination, operationalisation of the NSCI instruments and implementation monitoring.

The taskforce will also support the development of indigenous capacity and the mobilisation of private investment into the country’s cloud and data-centre sector.

The Federal Government expects the initiative to expand domestic cloud and data centre capacity, increase local participation and attract sustainable investment, while positioning Nigeria as a trusted destination for cloud and digital infrastructure in Africa.

Nigeria’s sovereign cloud push has gathered momentum over the past two years as the government seeks greater control over data and increased domestic digital infrastructure.

In February 2025, NITDA announced plans to finalise a data classification framework that would require certain categories of data to remain within Nigeria. The agency also inaugurated a Technical Working Group that month to develop a national cloud infrastructure strategy and support the attraction of hyperscale investments.

In August 2025, the agency advanced efforts to increase access to locally anchored cloud services, while the Federal Government subsequently announced plans to work with major technology companies and hyperscalers to establish hyperscale data centres in Nigeria under its broader Coud First policy.

On August 5, 2026, NITDA signed key regulatory instruments for the National Sovereign Cloud Initiative, including the National Cloud Computing Guideline, National Cloud Technical Guideline, National Digital Infrastructure Assurance Framework and National Cloud Investment Strategy.

The Federal Government on August 18 also unveiled the National Digital Cloud Policy, with a target of attracting $750 million in private investment over the next 24 months for cloud and data-centre infrastructure.

The latest taskforce inauguration therefore represents another step in the government’s effort to move Nigeria’s sovereign cloud agenda from policy development to implementation.

Private sector investment in the sector has also continued to grow amid increasing demand for locally hosted digital services.

In May 2026, Kasi Cloud unveiled the first phase of a planned 100 megawatt data centre in Lagos, describing the project as part of efforts to expand Nigeria’s domestic cloud infrastructure and reduce dependence on offshore services.

The company said the facility could help retain a greater share of the estimated $850 million Nigerian businesses spend annually on foreign cloud infrastructure while strengthening the country’s capacity to support cloud computing, data-intensive services and emerging technologies.