By Nigeria’s digital economy landscape has gotten the attention of United States Government tech companies that are keen on tapping into the great opportunities in the country.
According to the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, Nigeria’s commitment to building a resilient, inclusive and competitive digital economy rest on strategic partnerships with international technology companies.
Inuwa gave this assurance while receiving a delegation with representatives from Microsoft, Citi Bank, Cavista Holdings, Flutterwave, Tolaram Group, the American Business Council and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, led by the President of the U.S.-Africa Business Centre, Kendra Gaither, emphasized that the country’s digital policies are designed to attract investment, strengthen local capacity and secure its digital future.
He noted how important a visit to NITDA to explore opportunities for deeper collaboration between Nigeria and the United States in digital transformation, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, data governance and technology investment.
Inuwa explained that Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda is anchored on two fundamental objectives: ensuring citizens have reliable access to essential digital services and positioning them to participate meaningfully in value creation within the digital economy.
“Our policy intent is just about two things. First, to make sure our citizens have basic access, no matter what. What I mean by no matter what means we should have a capacity for digital self-determination,” he said.
He explained that the Agency’s sovereign cloud initiative is intended to strengthen national control over critical digital infrastructure, enhance resilience against disruptions, mitigate risks and provide flexibility in the adoption of technology solutions.
According to him, digital sovereignty should not be interpreted as an attempt to exclude international technology companies, but rather as an opportunity to encourage them to invest in Nigeria’s digital infrastructure and collaborate with local businesses to deliver sustainable solutions.
“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,” the DG noted.
Inuwa further highlighted the importance of developing local infrastructure and capacity to ensure that Nigeria derives greater economic value from its growing digital market.
He added that investments in domestic data centres and cloud infrastructure would create opportunities for local businesses, support innovation and strengthen the country’s position 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, noting that appropriate infrastructure and policy frameworks could help channel relevant government technology services towards locally hosted sovereign cloud solutions.
The NITDA boss also addressed concerns surrounding data localisation and regulatory compliance, particularly in the financial technology ecosystem.
He said that the Agency was working with relevant regulators, including the Central Bank of Nigeria, to develop an assurance framework that would provide clarity on technical requirements, support compliance and encourage investment in local infrastructure.
Emphasising the importance of resilience and flexibility, he said, “We need that portability. If Google has better services, I should be able to move my services from Microsoft to Google or AWS.”
He added that policies must create an environment where technology providers can compete fairly while government and businesses retain the flexibility to adopt solutions that best meet their needs.
Inuwa also underscored the importance of collaboration in developing effective digital policies, noting that NITDA had previously worked with major technology companies, local providers and other stakeholders in shaping Nigeria’s cloud-first policy.
He encouraged members of the delegation to sustain engagement with the Agency and explore practical ways of aligning their investments and solutions with the country’s digital priorities.
Responding to a proposal by Kavista Holdings for collaboration in digital transformation, workforce development and employment-oriented skills programmes, the DG invited the company to formally submit its proposal for assessment by the relevant NITDA team.
Earlier in her remarks, Kendra Gaither reaffirmed the American business community’s interest in deepening commercial engagement with Nigeria, identifying digital transformation, regulatory clarity and investment predictability as critical to expanding bilateral economic cooperation.
She described Nigeria as an important player in Africa’s information technology and digital economy landscape, noting that the country’s policy direction has significant implications for businesses operating across West Africa and the wider continent.
Gaither further noted that the delegation was seeking constructive dialogue with NITDA to better understand Nigeria’s evolving digital regulatory environment and identify practical ways to support shared economic and innovation objectives.
She stressed that a secure, competitive and predictable regulatory environment would benefit Nigerian businesses, U.S. companies and other international investors by providing clearer expectations for compliance and long-term investment decisions.
She highlighted concerns around overlapping regulatory responsibilities and areas requiring greater clarity, particularly in cloud computing, data governance and financial services, while emphasising that companies wanted to comply with Nigeria’s requirements and continue expanding their operations.
Gaither also acknowledged Nigeria’s growing leadership in digital policy and trade discussions across the continent, expressing the Chamber’s readiness to draw on international experience and facilitate further engagement between NITDA and its member companies.
She maintained that sustained dialogue would help address uncertainties, strengthen confidence and create opportunities for partnerships that advance Nigeria’s digital transformation while supporting the commercial interests of U.S. businesses.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce delegation included representatives of technology, financial services and investment organisations, including Microsoft and Citi, alongside members of the American Business Council and the U.S. Embassy.
