Nigeria’s data center market is projected to grow significantly, from an estimated $278 million in 2024 to $671 million by 2030. This forecast was shared with Chinese technology companies by the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP) as part of an effort to attract investment.
Joseph Tegbe, the Director-General of the NCSP, announced the projections while speaking at the Digital Silk Road Connection Event in China. He encouraged Chinese tech giants to invest early in Nigeria’s rapidly expanding digital economy, highlighting that the country already has a large number of internet users and a mobile traffic growth rate of 40% annually.
A Strategic Partnership for the Digital Age
Tegbe outlined four key areas for collaboration between Nigeria and Chinese tech firms, emphasizing that the partnership would benefit both nations. The priority areas are:
- Developing hyperscale data centers and cloud availability zones.
- Diversifying global AI supply chains by integrating African data and talent.
- Establishing joint laboratories to create local solutions in sectors like agriculture and health.
- Building stronger talent pipelines through research and exchange programs.
Tegbe stressed that Nigeria, with its large population of over 160 million internet-connected citizens and a thriving fintech sector, is the ideal partner for China to replicate its digital transformation success in Africa. The NCSP is leveraging a recent agreement that has already secured over $20 billion in investment commitments between the two countries.
