NITDA finalizes information classification framework to drive cloud funding in Nigeria
The Director-Normal of the Nationwide Info Expertise Improvement Company (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, has introduced that the company is finalizing a framework to mandate the classification of knowledge, guaranteeing that sure classes of knowledge stay inside Nigeria.
This transfer is aimed toward driving cloud adoption, attracting investments, and strengthening the nation’s digital sovereignty.
Inuwa disclosed this whereas talking as a panellist on the Africa Hyperscalers Digital Infrastructure Outlook 2025 occasion, the place he highlighted NITDA’s strategic plans to leverage progressive options and rules to attain the Presidential 8-point agenda, which spans varied sectors of the economic system.
In response to Inuwa, the framework is predicted to encourage extra cloud service suppliers to put money into Nigeria whereas guaranteeing information safety and sovereignty.
AI focus for Africa
Whereas talking on the Synthetic Intelligence revolution in Africa, the NITDA DG emphasised that Africa’s focus ought to shift to the appliance of AI in important sectors reasonably than constructing Giant Language Fashions (LLMs).
“The actual energy of AI lies in its utility, not in constructing LLMs. We should always deal with deploying AI in sectors like healthcare, agriculture, and {financial} providers, the place it might make a right away impression,” Inuwa said.
- He revealed that NITDA has recognized three key areas the place AI can revolutionize governance and enterprise operations: automating processes, enhancing regulatory effectivity, and growing data administration programs.
- He added that the company is dedicated to fostering an progressive ecosystem that balances regulation with {industry} progress by investing in cloud infrastructure, information classification, and AI functions.
Regulatory framework and cloud first coverage
Inuwa additionally elaborated on NITDA’s two-pronged regulatory strategy: rule-based and non-rule-based rules.
In response to him, rule-based regulation entails strict compliance tips, whereas non-rule-based regulation encourages industry-led innovation with established benchmarks.
“Earlier than regulating, we have to perceive the panorama, collect information, and stay dynamic. Expertise evolves quickly, and our regulatory framework should be agile sufficient to adapt,” he defined.
- The NITDA boss highlighted the company’s Cloud First Coverage, launched in 2019, which discourages extreme reliance on bodily information centres and encourages authorities companies and personal companies to undertake cloud computing, software-as-a-service (SaaS), and different digital options.
- Whereas the coverage initially granted waivers for public cloud infrastructure utilization, NITDA is now pushing for native information centres to scale up their capabilities.
Collaboration with international hyperscalers
Inuwa famous that certainly one of NITDA’s important achievements is its engagement with international hyperscaler suppliers.
He revealed that Google Cloud has pledged to collaborate with native information centres to drive cloud adoption and set up a hyperscaler information centre in Nigeria.
“Google CEO Sundar Pichai met with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Paris, the place the president shared his transformative imaginative and prescient for Nigeria.
“He believes know-how may help obtain the 8-point agenda, together with {economic} diversification, nationwide safety, meals safety, and infrastructure improvement, with a deal with schooling and healthcare,” Inuwa mentioned.
What it’s best to know
Nairametrics final week reported that the CEO of Google, Sundar Pichai on Wednesday met with Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu in Paris, the place each leaders mentioned a partnership to increase Synthetic Intelligence (AI) abilities in Nigeria.
“We talked concerning the immense potential of AI in Nigeria, and the way we are able to companion to increase AI abilities, allow innovation, and assist Nigeria’s rising tech ecosystem,” Pichai said after the assembly.
- The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Financial system, Dr. Bosun Tijani, additionally famous that the assembly demonstrated the Nigerian authorities’s dedication to AI and Google’s ongoing assist in the direction of growing AI abilities and innovation in important sectors in Nigeria.
- Final 12 months, Google introduced two separate AI initiatives in Nigeria in partnership with the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Financial system, each aimed toward empowering Nigerians with AI abilities.
