The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the United States Chamber of Commerce are exploring strategic partnerships to strengthen Nigeria’s digital economy, attract technology investments and expand local capacity in emerging technologies.
The Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, disclosed this when he received a delegation of American business leaders led by the President of the U.S.-Africa Business Centre, Kendra Gaither, during a visit to the agency.
The delegation included representatives of Microsoft, Citi, Cavista Holdings, Flutterwave, Tolaram Group, the American Business Council and the U.S. Embassy.
Discussions focused on digital transformation, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, data governance and investment opportunities, with particular emphasis on regulatory clarity and the development of Nigeria’s digital infrastructure.
Inuwa said the Federal Government’s digital transformation agenda was driven by two key objectives: ensuring citizens have reliable access to essential digital services and enabling them to participate meaningfully in the digital economy.
He explained that the agency’s sovereign cloud initiative was designed to strengthen Nigeria’s control over critical digital infrastructure, improve resilience and reduce risks associated with disruptions to essential technology services.
The NITDA chief stressed that digital sovereignty was not intended to shut out foreign technology companies but to encourage them to invest in local infrastructure and collaborate with Nigerian businesses.
“It’s not about politics. It’s not about locking our doors against anybody, but it’s about inviting you to come and build with us,” he said.
Inuwa noted that increased investment in domestic data centres and cloud infrastructure would create opportunities for local businesses, stimulate innovation and position Nigeria as a technology hub for West and Central Africa.
He disclosed that the Federal Government had invested more than ₦4.5 trillion in information technology between June 2023 and June 2026, adding that appropriate infrastructure and policy frameworks could help direct relevant government technology services towards locally hosted sovereign cloud solutions.
On concerns about data localisation and regulatory compliance, particularly within the financial technology sector, Inuwa said NITDA was working with relevant regulators, including the Central Bank of Nigeria, to develop an assurance framework that would clarify technical requirements, facilitate compliance and encourage investment in local infrastructure.
He also emphasised the need for flexibility in the adoption of cloud services, arguing that businesses and government institutions should be able to switch providers based on the quality and suitability of available solutions.
“We need that portability. If Google has better services, I should be able to move my services from Microsoft to Google or AWS,” he said.
Inuwa added that Nigeria’s digital policies must promote fair competition among technology providers while allowing businesses and government institutions to choose solutions that best meet their operational needs.
He urged members of the delegation to sustain engagement with NITDA and identify practical ways to align their investments with Nigeria’s digital priorities.
Responding to a proposal by Cavista Holdings on digital transformation, workforce development and employment-oriented skills programmes, the NITDA director-general invited the company to formally submit its proposal for consideration by the agency.
Earlier, Gaither reaffirmed the American business community’s interest in expanding commercial engagement with Nigeria, identifying digital transformation, regulatory clarity and investment predictability as essential to strengthening economic cooperation between both countries.
She described Nigeria as a significant player in Africa’s information technology and digital economy landscape, noting that its policy direction had implications for businesses operating across West Africa and the wider continent.
Gaither said the delegation was seeking constructive engagement with NITDA to better understand Nigeria’s evolving digital regulatory environment and identify opportunities for partnerships that would advance innovation and shared economic interests.
She also highlighted concerns about overlapping regulatory responsibilities and the need for greater clarity in cloud computing, data governance and financial services.
According to her, a secure, competitive and predictable regulatory environment would provide Nigerian businesses and international investors with clearer compliance expectations and greater confidence in making long-term investment decisions.
Gaither expressed the Chamber’s readiness to facilitate further engagement between NITDA and its member companies, noting that sustained dialogue would help resolve regulatory uncertainties, strengthen investor confidence and create opportunities for mutually beneficial partnerships.
