The Federal Government has unveiled plans to attract $750m in private sector investment in local cloud and data infrastructure over the next 24 months, alongside the rollout of a nationwide 90,000-kilometre fibre optic network. Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, disclosed this on Monday at the GITEX 2026 Government Leadership & AI Summit held in Abuja.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Political and Economic Affairs Office, Bekearedebo Warrens, Akume emphasised that the initiatives form part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s strategy to move Nigeria from a technology consumer to a global exporter of digital solutions.
He said, “The newly unveiled National Digital Cloud Policy targets an ambitious $750m in private investment in Nigeria’s cloud and data infrastructure within 24 months. This policy will position Nigeria as a competitive location for cloud and data services, not just for ourselves, but for the wider West African and African markets.
“Gitex Nigeria returns at a pivotal moment in our nation’s history. The theme for this year’s conference, ‘Beyond Connectivity: The Bridge to Sovereign AI and Innovation,’ captures the very essence of where Nigeria is headed—not merely as a consumer of technology, but as a builder, producer, and exporter of digital solutions and artificial intelligence.”
