By BONIFACE AKARAH

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the United States Chamber of Commerce have explored strategic partnerships aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s digital economy, with discussions focusing on cloud computing, artificial intelligence, data governance and technology investment.

The Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, received a delegation led by Kendra Gaither, President of the U.S.-Africa Business Centre, during a visit to the agency. The delegation included representatives of Microsoft, Citi Bank, Cavista Holdings, Flutterwave, Tolaram Group, the American Business Council and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Inuwa said Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda was driven by two key objectives: ensuring citizens have access to essential digital services and enabling them to participate meaningfully in 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 was designed to strengthen national control over critical digital infrastructure, improve resilience and reduce risks associated with disruptions, while giving the country greater flexibility in adopting technology solutions.

The NITDA chief stressed that digital sovereignty was not intended to shut out international technology companies but to encourage them to invest in Nigeria and work with local 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,” Inuwa said.

He also highlighted the need to develop local infrastructure and technical capacity so that Nigeria could retain more economic value from its expanding digital market. According to him, investments in domestic data centres and cloud infrastructure would support local businesses, encourage innovation and strengthen Nigeria’s position as a technology hub for West and Central Africa.

Inuwa disclosed that the Federal Government had invested more than ₦4.5 trillion in information technology between June 2023 and June 2026. He said 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, he said NITDA was working with relevant regulators, including the Central Bank of Nigeria, to develop an assurance framework that would clarify technical requirements, support compliance and encourage investment in local infrastructure.

He further emphasised the need for flexibility in the choice of technology providers, saying Nigeria should be able to move its services between providers when better solutions became available.

“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 maintained that Nigeria’s policies should allow technology companies to compete fairly while giving government institutions and businesses the freedom to adopt solutions that best meet their needs.

He also encouraged the delegation to sustain engagement with NITDA, recalling the agency’s previous collaboration with major technology companies, local providers and other stakeholders in developing the country's cloud-first policy.

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 submit a formal proposal for consideration by the relevant team at the agency.

Earlier, Gaither said the American business community was interested in expanding commercial engagement with Nigeria, identifying digital transformation, regulatory clarity and investment predictability as important factors for stronger bilateral economic cooperation.

She described Nigeria as a major player in Africa’s information technology and digital economy landscape, noting that the country’s policy direction had implications for businesses operating across West Africa and the wider continent.

Gaither said the delegation wanted to engage constructively with NITDA to understand Nigeria’s evolving digital regulatory environment and identify practical areas of cooperation.

She also raised concerns about overlapping regulatory responsibilities and the need for clearer guidance in areas such as cloud computing, data governance and financial services. However, she stressed that international companies wanted to comply with Nigeria’s regulations while continuing to expand their operations.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce delegation expressed readiness to draw on international experience and facilitate further engagement between NITDA and its member companies, with Gaither noting that sustained dialogue could strengthen investor confidence and create opportunities for partnerships.

The delegation also included representatives of financial services and investment organisations, members of the American Business Council and officials of the U.S. Embassy.