Nigeria has intensified its campaign to become Africa’s leading big data hub, calling on Chinese technology giants to invest early in the continent’s rapidly expanding digital economy.
The appeal was made by Joseph Tegbe, Director-General of the Nigeria–China Strategic Partnership (NCSP), during high-level engagements at the China International Big Data Industry Expo and the Digital Silk Road Connection Event in Guiyang, China.
At the Expo, Tegbe described Nigeria as a “natural partner” for China in replicating its digital transformation success on African soil. With over 160 million internet-connected citizens, a thriving fintech ecosystem, and expanding fiber infrastructure, he said Nigeria is primed for a digital leap that could rival China’s past two decades of growth.
“Big data is not just a technical issue but a strategic one about turning intelligence into economic and social value,” Tegbe said, urging Chinese investors to view Africa’s infrastructure shortfall as an opportunity to build the continent’s “digital highways,” with Nigeria as the anchor.
In his second address at the Digital Silk Road Connection Event, Tegbe presented a detailed roadmap, projecting Nigeria’s data center market valued at $278 million in 2024 to grow to $671 million by 2030. With Africa’s internet user base above 570 million and mobile traffic expanding at 40% annually, he emphasized the urgent demand for digital capacity and investment.
He highlighted four priority areas for partnership to include: Hyperscale data centers and cloud availability zones as the backbone of Africa’s digital economy and Diversification of global AI supply chains through African datasets and talent.
Others are Joint laboratories in agriculture, health, and financial services to create locally relevant solutions and Talent development through research and exchange programs, aligning African capacity with Chinese expertise.
Tegbe tied Nigeria’s pitch to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), noting that its 1.4 billion-person market offers unprecedented opportunities. “The countries that will thrive in the modern economy are not those with the most minerals, but those who can harness data for their people,” he said.
Reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to the One-China principle, Tegbe praised the contributions of Chinese companies such as CCCC, CRCC, CCECC, CHEC, Huawei, and ZTE, noting their role in Nigeria’s infrastructure and technology development.
Concluding his engagements, Tegbe declared: “The world is entering a new era where data is the new oil. If we align China’s expertise with Nigeria’s innovation and Africa’s vast markets, we can create new Silk Roads of digital opportunity. Nigeria is ready. Africa is ready. Together with China, we can shape the digital destiny of tomorrow.”
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