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Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi says Nigeria is not choosing sides in global tech rivalry but building capacity for local value creation, data protection, and digital control.
DG, NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, alongside South Africa’s Director for Government and Policy Advocacy, Amos Haddebe, and a representative of Viking Analytics, Marcelo Paolo, engaged in discussions on strategic areas of collaboration during the GITEX Africa 2026
Nigeria is intensifying efforts to strengthen its national software infrastructure and digital governance framework as part of a broader push to secure data sovereignty and build local technological capacity.
RELATED: GITEX AFRICA Morocco 2026 opens, positioning Africa at the forefront of the global digital economy
The initiative focuses on developing high-standard regulatory policies that will enhance digital integration while ensuring critical national systems remain under domestic control.
Speaking during an engagement with Ericsson management at GITEX Africa in Morocco, Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, explained that Nigeria’s digital strategy is focused on safeguarding national interests and securing long-term technological independence; rather than aligning with global rivalries.
A Balanced Approach: Neither Banning China nor Rejecting Hyperscalers
Abdullahi clarified that Nigeria is not pursuing an exclusionary approach toward global technology partners. Instead, the country seeks balanced collaboration that ensures value creation within its borders.
“We are building our national software infrastructure. We are coming up with very high-standard regulatory policies that will help us build capacity for digital software integration. For me, it is not about politics. It is not about geo-tech politics. It is not about banning China. It is about how we, as a country, have control and are able to shape our digital future,” Abdullahi said.
He further stressed that hyperscalers remain welcome but on terms that benefit Nigeria:
“We are not saying we are banning hyperscalers from coming. We want them to come, work with local partners, create value in Africa, and let us capture that value here.”
Learning from Global Frameworks: EU’s Digital Acts as a Model
Abdullahi drew parallels with global regulatory trends, pointing to frameworks such as the European Union’s Digital Markets Act, Digital Services Act, and Data Governance Act. These are examples of regions asserting digital sovereignty through structured policy environments, he stressed.
Nigeria’s approach aligns with the global shift toward treating digital infrastructure as critical national infrastructure, he added. This move is already supported by existing executive orders in the country.
“We already have an executive order that makes all digital infrastructure a national critical infrastructure. But building a fully sovereign digital system takes time. Even the EU did not achieve it overnight.”
Keeping Intelligence Local: Data Protection and Value Creation
A key priority of the policy direction, Abdullahi said, is ensuring that data generated within Nigeria remains protected. The policy inists that intellectual capacity and digital intelligence are developed locally rather than exported.
“We want to keep the intelligence in our country. We want to be part of creating value, not just receiving technology.”
He also highlighted concerns about historical imbalances in global industrial development, noting that Africa has often contributed raw materials, labour, and data without fully benefiting from value-added industries.
“We don’t want a repeat of previous industrial revolutions where Africa was left behind. This time, it is about value creation and building our own digital offerings.”
Data Ownership: A Central Regulatory Question
Discussions are ongoing around data ownership frameworks, particularly in emerging technologies and industrial systems. This is where questions of who controls machine-generated data remain central to future regulation. The government is expected to unveil clearer policy direction in the coming months as part of its broader national digital transformation agenda.
Ericsson Reaffirms Commitment to Nigeria’s Digital Journey
On the industry side, Ericsson reaffirmed its longstanding involvement in Nigeria’s telecom sector. The company’s Director for Government and Policy Advocacy in Africa, Amos Haddebe, said Ericsson has operated in Nigeria for over five decades, supporting the country’s telecommunications evolution from 2G to 5G.
Haddebe noted that Ericsson continues to collaborate closely with operators such as MTN Group as part of its commitment to advancing Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.
Four Pillars of the Ericsson-Nigeria MoU
Haddebe outlined four key pillars of a Memorandum of Understanding signed with the Nigerian government in October 2024:
| Pillar | Description |
|---|---|
| Joint Innovation Hub | Collaborative space for technology development |
| National Hackathon | Ongoing programme launched under Vice President’s supervision |
| Digital Skills Development | Programmes to build local tech talent |
| Exchange of Best Practices | Knowledge sharing between Nigeria and global partners |
He further revealed that the ongoing national hackathon is already underway and will be integrated with broader innovation initiatives.
Ericsson calls for Diversified Vendor Ecosystem and ICT as National Security
On broader industry concerns, Haddebe warned of rising competition in Africa’s telecoms space and urged governments to treat ICT infrastructure as a matter of national security. He advocated for a diversified vendor ecosystem to ensure resilience and safeguard critical systems.
What This Means for Nigeria’s Digital Future
The discussions at GITEX Africa highlight Nigeria’s increasing focus on:
- Digital sovereignty – Control over national digital infrastructure and data
- Strategic partnerships – Collaboration with global players on local terms
- Competitive digital economy – Building local capacity for value creation and innovation
As Nigeria prepares to unveil clearer policy direction in the coming months, the message from NITDA is clear: Africa’s largest economy is not choosing sides in global tech rivalries—it is choosing itself.
