Nigeria is fast emerging as one of Africa’s top destinations for data centre investments, as both local and international players race to meet the country’s surging demand for digital infrastructure. Driven by rapid internet adoption, cloud computing, fintech innovation, and the rise of artificial intelligence, more data centres are being built to power the nation’s growing digital economy.
In recent months, several global and regional firms have announced plans to expand or establish data centres in Nigeria. Companies like Equinix, MainOne (a subsidiary of Equinix), Rack Centre, and Africa Data Centres are leading the charge, collectively investing hundreds of millions of dollars in state-of-the-art facilities across Lagos, Abuja, and other key cities. These centres are designed to enhance data storage capacity, improve latency, and ensure data sovereignty — allowing businesses and government agencies to host their data locally rather than relying on overseas servers.
Experts say the expansion will not only boost digital transformation but also strengthen Nigeria’s position as West Africa’s technology hub. The presence of more data centres will enhance cybersecurity, support local content delivery, and attract foreign investment from global cloud providers such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure, all of which are expanding their footprint in Africa.
According to industry analysts, Nigeria’s data centre market is expected to grow by over 10% annually through 2030, supported by government reforms promoting local data hosting and the rollout of 5G technology.
As digital services become central to banking, healthcare, entertainment, and public administration, these infrastructure investments are set to play a pivotal role in shaping Nigeria’s future. With more data centres coming online, the country is not just preparing for the next wave of digital innovation — it is positioning itself as a major data hub for the entire African continent.
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