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Tag: Nigeria’s digital infrastructure

  • EU promises deployment of Finland, Estonia software for Nigeria’s digital infrastructure

    EU promises deployment of Finland, Estonia software for Nigeria’s digital infrastructure

    The European Union (EU) has promised to support Nigeria with the deployment of X-Road model of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) similar to the model deployed in Finland and Estonia.

    Mr Gautier Mignot, Ambassador of the EU to Nigeria and ECOWAS, made this known in Abuja during the Nigeria GovTech Conference and Awards 2025 organised by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms.

    The theme of the conference was “Redefining Possibilities: Harnessing Emerging Technologies for Public Service Delivery and Socio-Economic Development.”

    The X-Road (DPI) is an open-source software framework that acts as a digital public infrastructure layer for secure, real-time data exchange between different information systems.

    He announced that the initiative would be supported with the deployment of 90,000 extra kilometers of fiber optic cables, enhancing digital literacy, building skills, supporting digital transformation centres, coupled with their initial £8 million grants and loans for the development of the Nigeria Digital Economy Initiative.

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    Mignot said the model could connect all the public sector systems while ensuring data protection, and boost the country’s economic and social activities. 

    He said: “The model is done in a way that protects your data, in the sense that you are not really exposed to knowledge of your data beyond what is strictly authorised by the user.

    “The system prompts you, whether it’s about a school registration or your insurance or whatever, the system will help you follow up on whatever you need to do with the public authorities.

    “We are looking at it as it is applied in Estonia and Finland and other European countries.”

    Dr Dasuki Arabi, Director-General of BPSR, said they had infused different initiatives to enhance digitalisation in government to improve efficiency.

    “Going further, we must now begin developing emerging technologies from artificial intelligence,machine learning to robotics, process automation and blockchain. 

    “In partnership with the Nigerian Communications Commission, BPSR commenced this process about three years ago, and we are glad these things are now becoming part of the policies of federal government of Nigeria. 

    “We are also actively working to integrate distributed ledger technologies into the operations of BPRS to simplify routine task, secure sensitive letter, optimise resource allocation for more effective service delivery,” Arabi said.

    According to him, we must invest in people, the true enablers of innovation and that is why we are committed to training over 500,000 public servants on digital literacy and emerging technologies, equipping them to manage and sustain these technologies for long term impact. 

    Also the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF),Dr George Akume said major reforms were underway to strengthen interoperability of government platforms and enhance digital identity.

    Represented by Mrs. Esuabana Nko-Asanye, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, Akume said digital governance required an enabling environment to strive and deliver target goals. 

    “This is why government continues to prioritise policy and legal framework that foster aggregation, ensure data protection and encourage private sector participation, capacity building to equip public servants with digital skills for effective performance.

    “By digitising government services, we reduce the cost of living, ease of business, eliminate bottlenecks and create a transparent environment that attracts investment, create job opportunities and unlock the innovation potential of the ecosystem,” Akume said.

  • ‘Digital infrastructure vital to $1tr economy’

    ‘Digital infrastructure vital to $1tr economy’

    Expansion and protection of Nigeria’s digital infrastructure are critical elements for the attainment of Nigeria’s $1trillion economy, experts at have posited.

     They argued that the implementation of Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) framework have a direct link between ambition and the critical roles of digital infrastructure in the country.

    During a panel session titled Appraisal of Data Centre Infrastructure Risks in the Scheme of CNII Implementation, they underscored the need for robust investments in data centers, broadband expansion, and cybersecurity.

    The experts which included the Chief Executive Officer, Open Access Data Centre (OADC), Dr. Ayotunde Coker; CEO of Rack Centre, Lars Johannisson; and Director of Legal (Global and Regional Business Affairs) at Equinix, Mr. Abayomi Adebanjo, spoke during a panel session at seventh edition of Policy Implementation Assisted Forum (PIAFo) with the theme: “Strengthening Protection of Critical Information Infrastructure through Proactive Implementation and Strategic Coordination” in Lagos.

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    Dr Coker highlighted the fundamental role of digital infrastructure in driving economic growth, adding that connectivity, data centers, and power must be aligned to ensure digital resilience.

    He acknowledged Nigeria’s recent progress in restoring connectivity through increased subsea cable capacity, citing Meta’s new subsea cable project as a significant boost to global connectivity. However, he stressed the urgency of upgrading outdated subsea cables and fast-tracking infrastructure projects such as the Equiano and 2Africa cables.

    With the government’s plan to expand fibre optic capacity by 90,000 kilometers, Dr. Coker emphasized the direct economic impact of broadband penetration, stating that a 10 per cent increase could contribute 2.5per cent gross domestic product (GDP) growth. He also noted that while South Africa houses 50per cent of Africa’s data center infrastructure, Nigeria must scale up investments to bridge the gap and compete on a global level.

    “The future of our digital economy depends on the seamless integration of connectivity, power, and data centers,” Dr. Coker said, stressing the need for greater collaboration between private and public stakeholders.

    Mr. Johannisson agreed with Dr. Coker’s sentiments, applauding Nigeria’s digital progress but warned that execution remained a major hurdle.

    He highlighted asset protection policies as a key factor in attracting foreign investments.

    Johannisson said every megawatt (Mw) of data center capacity requires an investment of approximately €12-15 million, with 70 Mw currently in the pipeline.

    He also stressed the importance of decentralizing data centers beyond Lagos to ensure broader access and affordability, especially with the pressing need for edge infrastructure which requires data centre spread across the country.

    “If inefficiencies drive up costs, digital services will remain inaccessible to large segments of the population,” he warned.

    Johannisson stressed the need to maintain cost-effective infrastructure investments to achieve Nigeria’s broadband penetration target of 80per cent by 2030.

    Director of Legal (Global and Regional Business Affairs) at Equinix, Abayomi Adebanjo, focused on the intersection of digital infrastructure and national security.

    He underscored the vulnerability of critical networks to cyber threats and called for stricter security measures at both physical and digital levels.

    Adebanjo also identified major gaps in CNII framework, urging the government to take a more active role in enforcing protection programs.

    He cited persistent issues such as fiber cable theft and legal obstacles in prosecuting offenders as deterrents to investment.

    Recognising the significant power demands of data centers—comparable to large industrial operations such as the Dangote Refinery, Adebanjo pushed for incentives such as designated special zones for data centers and priority access to electricity.

    “Ireland is a prime example of how a stable regulatory and power supply environment can attract foreign direct investment,” Adebanjo noted, urging policymakers to adopt similar strategies.

    The discussions at the forum underscored that Nigeria’s ambition to achieve a $1 trillion economy hinges on its ability to create a conducive environment for data centers and digital infrastructure growth.

    Convener of PIAFo, Mr. Omobayo Azeez, stressed the need for concerted efforts among stakeholders to protect existing infrastructure and attract new investments to secure the digital future of the country.

    Industry leaders agreed that increased broadband penetration, strategic investment, and supportive government policies are critical to bridging the digital divide and ensuring long-term sustainability.

    With a growing commitment from both public and private sectors, Nigeria stands at a pivotal moment in its digital transformation journey—one that will define its economic trajectory for decades to come.