The Federal Government of Nigeria has thrown its full support behind local cloud hosting and digital infrastructure development with the unveiling of MTN Nigeria’s $150 million Tier III Dabengwa Data Centre in Lagos. This modular data centre, the largest in West Africa, represents a significant leap in Nigeria’s digital journey and aligns with the government’s drive toward digital sovereignty, economic diversification, and reduced dependence on foreign hosting services.

Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, emphasized that the data centre is crucial to the national digital economy agenda. He highlighted its potential to power critical sectors like fintech, education, healthcare, and artificial intelligence while conserving foreign exchange and enabling local data control. He also connected the launch to broader government programs like Project BRIDGE and the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) initiative, both aimed at expanding digital inclusion and talent development across Nigeria.

Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inua Abdullahi, framed the development as a cornerstone in achieving digital sovereignty and African-centered innovation. He stressed the facility’s alignment with Nigeria’s Data Protection and Trust Policy, asserting the country’s readiness to lead in cloud infrastructure rather than waiting for international players. NITDA’s “9-0-2” strategy also seeks to foster cloud and AI adoption through inclusive access and standards.

MTN Nigeria CEO Karl Toriola called the project a declaration of the company’s confidence in Nigeria’s future. He detailed its scalable infrastructure, local economic impact, and compliance with data protection laws. The facility created over 300 local jobs and led to the launch of MTN Cloud—a homegrown cloud platform designed to empower Nigerian startups and developers with secure, affordable computing services in local currency, further reducing reliance on foreign hyperscalers.

Lagos State Government officials, including Secretary to the State Government Barr. Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, celebrated the investment as a pivotal step in Nigeria’s digital transformation and a boost to Lagos’ reputation as Africa’s fastest-growing tech hub. Named after former MTN Group CEO Sifiso Dabengwa, the facility is already operational and boasts cutting-edge features, including advanced cooling and redundancy systems. As both public and private players commit to expanding digital infrastructure, Nigeria is positioning itself as a future leader in Africa’s tech ecosystem.

Source: The Sun