By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Plans are underway by MTN Nigeria to support startups with training and resources they needed to thrive through a cloud accelerator programme.

The Chief Enterprise Business Officer of MTN Nigeria, Ms Lynda Saint-Nwafor, speaking at the unveiling of Dabengwa Data Centre in Lagos last week, said the MTN Cloud Accelerator for Africa would help Nigerian businesses, and boost the country’s digital eco-system.

“A few weeks from now, we’ll launch the MTN Cloud Accelerator for Africa. This isn’t just another accelerator, but one that would empower the Nigeria tech-ecosystem for growth,” she said.

At the launch of the data centre, put in place with support of Dell Technologies, the chairman of MTN Nigeria, Mr Ernest Ndukwe, said, “Setting up the infrastructure of this size is not an easy task and I want to seize the opportunity to thank those who have been working tirelessly to make it happen.”

On his part, the chief executive of MTN Nigeria, Mr Karl Toriola, stated described the facility as “a representation of technological advancements that focuses on the development of a state-of-the-art commissioning and data-centric architecture in line with the direction and policy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Also, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Mr Bosun Tijani, said, “The MTN Data Centre is part of the digital foundation of Nigeria’s modern economy that we seek -one that provides, and will continue to provide world class reliability, sothat we can keep our money local. We don’t have to ship it out in dollars.”

The Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Secretary to the State’s Government (SSG), Mrs Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, said, “Investments like this offer a platform for our young people to be able to thrive. Enterprise-grade infrastructure on our own soil, giving start-ups, developers, and data creators the ability to build and scale from Nigeria to the world. With this facility, MTN is reinforcing Nigeria’s position as the digital backbone of West Africa.”

The chief executive of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Mr Aminu Maida, represented by the Deputy Director for New Media and Information Security Department, Mr Babagaba Digima, said, “Today marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s digital sovereignty and technological independence. The infrastructure we celebrate here today embodies our collective vision of a digitally empowered Nigeria,” promising to continue to work closely with operators to ensure that critical infrastructure deployment meets robust standards our digital economy deserves.

The Nigerian data centre market is experiencing significant growth, with projections indicating an increase from 136.7 MW in 2025 to 279.4 MW by 2030, representing a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 15.37 per cent.

This growth is further supported by substantial investments, with data centre operators committing over $630 million to expand capacity in Nigeria.

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The Kano Digital Industrial Park, which was vandalised during a protest in 2024 by some residents of the state, has been rebuilt with the support of IHS Nigeria.

The facility was commissioned on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, by the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Mr Bosun Tijani.

It came weeks after Ilorin Innovation Hub, the largest innovation hub of its kind in West Africa, also sponsored by IHS Nigeria, kicked off its incubation and acceleration programmes.

At the event yesterday, Mr Tijani highlighted the significance of public-private collaboration in shaping Nigeria’s digital future, describing the second unveiling of the Kano Digital Industrial Park as a powerful demonstration of what is possible when public and private sector actors unite behind a shared vision.

“This facility is more than just infrastructure; it is a beacon of innovation, resilience, and opportunity for Northern Nigeria. IHS Nigeria’s swift intervention following the vandalism of this park reflects true partnership and corporate citizenship.

“Together, we are laying the foundation for a future where young Nigerians, especially those in underserved communities, have the tools and training to thrive in a digital economy,” he stated.

The Minister noted that the Kano Digital Industrial Park forms a key part of the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) initiative, a flagship government program aimed at equipping Nigerians with globally competitive digital skills.

The renovation includes fully equipped training labs, power and connectivity infrastructure, upgraded learning spaces, and restored digital equipment to support thousands of learners across Northern Nigeria.

Also speaking, the Chief Operating Officer of IHS Nigeria, Mr Kazeem Oladepo, who represented the CEO of IHS Nigeria, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to advancing Nigeria’s digital future.

“Our decision to sponsor the refurbishment of the Kano Digital Park is rooted in our commitment to supporting Nigeria’s digital economy and empowering young Nigerians with the skills to thrive in the digital age,” he said.

“This partnership with the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy is a clear demonstration of the power of public-private collaboration in addressing national challenges.

“We are proud to contribute to the 3MTT program and help restore this park as a hub of innovation and opportunity for the Kano community. Supporting initiatives like this and others such as the Ilorin Innovation Hub is how we aim to foster long-term digital growth, create jobs, and drive inclusive development across Nigeria,” he added.

In his opening remarks, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Mr Aminu Maida, emphasized the strategic importance of the park and reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to enabling Nigeria’s digital future.

“The recommissioning of the NCC Digital Industrial Park in Kano is a landmark moment in our journey to accelerate ICT innovation and empower the next generation of digital pioneers.

“This facility will serve as a catalyst for digital inclusion, economic transformation, and youth empowerment not just in Kano, but across the entire Northwest region. We remain committed to creating a thriving digital ecosystem where innovation can flourish and no one is left behind in Nigeria’s digital revolution.”

The Governor of Kano State, Mr Abba Yusuf, represented his deputy, Mr Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, reaffirmed the state’s digital ambition and expressed deep appreciation for the partnership that made the park’s restoration possible.

“This commissioning marks more than the unveiling of a refurbished structure; it represents Kano’s bold vision to lead Northern Nigeria’s digital transformation.

“We are grateful to IHS Nigeria for their swift response and unwavering support following the vandalisation of this facility. Their commitment goes beyond corporate responsibility, it reflects a shared vision for a digitally inclusive Nigeria.”

By Adedapo Adesanya

The federal government has pledged to back local cloud hosting efforts and data infrastructure to allow Nigerian companies compete with foreign counterparts.

The Nigerian government made this pledged as MTN Nigeria launched its $150 million Tier III Dabengwa Data Centre in Lagos.

This new facility, which is West Africa’s largest modular data center, was unveiled on Tuesday in a high-profile ceremony, marking a significant step in the country’s digital evolution and showcasing the administration’s dedication to achieving full digital sovereignty.

Speaking at the commissioning, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Mr Bosun Tijani, said the new facility was a vital pillar in the government’s broader strategy to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on foreign hosting services, enhance digital resilience, and foster economic diversification.

“This initiative aligns directly with the vision of President Bola Tinubu to build a $1 trillion economy, an economy powered by productivity, innovation, enterprise, and inclusivity,” Mr Tijani said.

“With infrastructure like this, we are keeping our data and capital local, reducing the need to spend scarce foreign exchange. It provides the digital backbone for key sectors such as fintech, healthcare, education, and AI. This is how we build national trust and ensure digital sovereignty,” he added.

Mr Tijani also reaffirmed that the facility supports the government’s Project BRIDGE and the deployment of 7,000 communication towers in unserved and underserved areas, which together aim to provide meaningful connectivity to over 20 million Nigerians still offline.

He further praised MTN’s support for the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, noting the company’s N3 billion commitment to training Nigerian youth in digital skills.

“Talent needs platforms. This facility provides exactly that enterprise-grade infrastructure on Nigerian soil that enables startups, developers, and creators to scale their innovations from Nigeria to the world,” the Minister said.

Also speaking, the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mr Kashifu Inua Abdullahi, described the development as more than a corporate milestone, calling it a national investment in data sovereignty and a foundation for Africa-focused innovation.

“This project signifies Nigeria’s readiness to build a robust, inclusive, and truly sovereign digital ecosystem in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” Mr Abdullahi said.

“It directly supports the Nigeria Data Protection and Trust Policy, and positions the country to compete with global hyperscalers by enabling local cloud providers to thrive. With our 9-0-2 strategy, we at NITDA are working to expand inclusive access to digital infrastructure and create the right standards to accelerate cloud and AI adoption nationwide.”

He added that Nigeria is no longer waiting for foreign hyperscalers to invest in local capacity.