The Federal Government is poised to unveil a cutting-edge data centre with the capacity to store up to 1.4 petabytes of data before May 29, 2024. This state-of-the-art facility, as per a statement obtained by Techmoonshot, will serve as a repository for a wide array of critical national information, including citizens’ bio-data.
During a meeting with the delegation of the National Union of Nigerian Associations in Italy (NUNAI), Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, underscored the imperative of embracing technology and innovation to address contemporary challenges effectively. He emphasized that leveraging advanced technology would bolster efficiency and accountability across national operations.
Expressing appreciation for the Ministry’s efforts in addressing the challenges faced by Nigerians in Italy, President of NUNAI, Chief Rowland Ndukuba, urged continued collaboration to aid stranded Nigerians in Italy.
This development is pivotal as Nigeria strives to keep pace with South Africa in the African Data Centre arena. According to a report by Reportlinker.com, South Africa leads the continent with over 50% of its data centre capacity, followed by Nigeria and Kenya.
Read more: Google Expands Cloud Reach With First African Data Center.
Furthermore, Nigeria’s data centre market growth can be attributed to its recent emphasis on digitization and the integration of emerging technologies such as IoT, big data, AI, ML, and advanced network connectivity services.
As of November 2023, Nigeria boasts over 11 data centres, primarily located in Lagos, Abuja, and Kano. Notably, Congo is also making strides in this domain, unveiling plans for its National Data Centre financed by the African Development Bank.
This ambitious project includes the construction of 600 kilometers of fiber optic cable, enhancing digital connectivity within the region. Once completed, the data centre will play a pivotal role in storing and processing the country’s digital data, contributing to its socio-economic development.
The launch of these innovative data centres underscores Africa’s commitment to digital transformation and underscores the continent’s readiness to embrace the digital age.
