This initiative aims to enhance local cloud capabilities, attract hyper-scale investments, and position Nigeria as a leading technology hub in Africa.

Speaking at the inauguration, Kashifu Inuwa, NITDA’s Director-General, emphasised the need for accurate data and regulatory frameworks to support these initiatives, necessary for Nigeria to control its digital infrastructure, data, and technological future noting that,

“Without this foundation, we cannot achieve true digital sovereignty. Our goal is to build an ecosystem where both local data centre providers can scale, and global hyper-scalers see Nigeria as a viable investment destination.”

While identifying lack of accurate data on Nigeria’s IT infrastructure as significant challenge, Inuwa noted that while Africa comprises nearly 19% of the world’s population, it hosts less than 1% of global data centres.

“This disparity, coupled with limited insights into Nigeria’s existing IT capacity, hampers investment efforts and without clear data on our infrastructure, attracting investment becomes challenging,” he said.

The NITDA boss maintained that, to address this, NITDA commissioned comprehensive research to assess Nigeria’s digital landscape which findings have highlighted the need for improved regulatory frameworks, clearer investment incentives, and stronger public-private collaboration. He added that subsequently upon this, NITDA has engaged global consultants to redefine strategies for cloud development.

As the TWG embarks on its mission, NITDA urges industry experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to contribute their expertise and resources. “With collective effort, Nigeria can emerge as the premier digital hub for West and Central Africa,” Inuwa concluded.

While corroborating the Director General’s point of views, Acting Director of Regulation and Compliance, Mr. Emmanuel Edet, underscored the importance of regulatory intervention in fostering a robust digital economy.

“Our objective is to establish policies and legal frameworks that support cloud development, enabling us to securely host and manage our data. This is crucial for the growth of our digital economy, Edet said.”

He also highlights the necessity of capacity building, stating that, “Equipping ourselves with top-tier training and expertise is essential to fully leverage digital technologies.” Mr. Edet called on all stakeholders to actively participate in shaping Nigeria’s digital future. “Collaboratively, we must develop a framework that reflects our national interests, and it should be widely accepted. This effort will define Nigeria’s role in the global digital arena, he observed.

The TWG will help in the drive to attract hyperscale investments and enhance local cloud capabilities by proffering measures to encourage the use of accurate data, recommend the enactment and compliance to enabling policies.

Techeconomy can report that members of the TWG which includes Google, AWS, IBM, Oracle, Microsoft, HUAWEI Cloud, Equinix, Kasi, Rack Centre, Africa Data Centres, several other data centre operators and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission expressed support and readiness to volunteer and contribute resources.

The move is seen by industry players as a significant move towards enhancing the digital landscape of Nigeria.

The company launched its local cloud service in Lagos with the goal of addressing essential needs such as data localisation.

This initiative ensures Nigeria’s data sovereignty, compliance with data protection regulations, the protection of sensitive data, and enhances security and compliance for businesses operating within the country.

One of the standout features of Huawei’s cloud services is the ultra-low latency of 15 milliseconds, a significant improvement from the previous 80+ milliseconds.

This reduction in network latency is expected to substantially enhance customer service experiences, allowing businesses to operate more efficiently and effectively.

Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, deputy governor of Lagos State in his goodwill message at the event, said the commitment of Huawei to building local cloud services in Lagos, Nigeria, is beneficial for the country’s journey towards technological transformation.

“As we gather here to explore the boundless potential of technology and digital innovation, we must truly appreciate where we are”, Dr Hamzat said.

Speaking further on the theme of the event, ‘Leap Now with a Better Cloud’, Hamzat noted that it reflected the aspirations of a country like Nigeria and, of course, Lagos, with its resilient people and growing technological industry.

“The country is at a point where digital transformation is no longer optional; it is essential for sustainable development. Technologies like cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and big data are key to networking opportunities in critical sectors like agriculture, healthcare, education, banking, and commerce. So we must thank Huawei for introducing its cloud solution in the country.

“Huawei cloud services in Nigeria are significant because of sovereignty issues. Imagine if other countries, in their parliaments, had the right to make laws that allowed them to examine all data within their sovereignty. What would you do? But remember, the data residing there can cause various issues.” Therefore, having a local cloud is crucial. It’s about our sovereignty and our ability to better control our destiny.”

Also speaking, Mr. Emmanuel Edet, the acting director of Regulations and Compliance at the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), said that the launch of Huawei Cloud services marks another milestone in the technological history of the country, Nigeria, with the hosting of this local cloud.

Representing Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, the director general of NITDA, Edet stated that cloud computing is the latest example of creative destruction, creating wealth for those who exploit it and leading to the demise of those who do not, as it is clear that data increasingly shapes business and most activities worldwide.

“However, as we embrace this technology, we must have conversations around aligning our digital strategies with local interests and building a robust infrastructure that reflects Nigeria’s unique needs and aspirations. As we continue to deliberate on solutions and chart new paths, let us also recognise the role of collaboration. Together, we can craft policies, invest in local capabilities, and foster partnerships that will ensure Nigeria’s leadership in the cloud ecosystem, not just regionally but globally.

Chris Lu, the chief executive officer of Huawei Nigeria, highlighted the significance of Huawei’s investment in building a local cloud infrastructure in Nigeria.

He identified three key aspects that underpin the importance of this development: performance, trust, and commitment.

“For me, having a local cloud means less than 15 milliseconds of latency, which outperforms cloud services from other markets, enhancing efficiency and user experience. Hosting data locally in Lagos boosts confidence among customers, government, and regulators, ensuring data sovereignty and security. With a 25-year presence in Nigeria and plans to continue for another 25 years, Huawei’s commitment to developing a robust local ecosystem with partners highlights its dedication to long-term growth and innovation in the country’s digital landscape.”

Developed by Huawei Technologies, a global leader in telecommunications and information technology, the cloud harnesses the power of cloud computing to provide users with a comprehensive and secure platform for storing and syncing their valuable data across devices.

With its advanced features, robust infrastructure and unwavering commitment to privacy and security, the platform opens a world of limitless possibilities, empowering individuals and businesses alike to seamlessly navigate the digital landscape with confidence and ease.

However, despite the limitless possibilities of Huawei Mobile Cloud, consumers use their storage in different ways. 

Most consumers utilise their cloud storage effectively, while others don’t make the most of its potential.

Here are a few factors that can impact the successful use of cloud storage by consumers: 

1. Understand the features

To use cloud storage effectively, consumers should have a good understanding of the features and capabilities offered by their cloud storage provider.

This includes knowing how to sync files, share folders, set access permissions and utilise version control if available.

2. Organisation and file management

Effective use of cloud storage involves proper organisation and file management.

Consumers should establish a logical folder structure, use descriptive file names and regularly clean up unnecessary files and folders to keep their storage space optimised and clutter-free.

3. Backup and synchronisation

Mobile cloud storage is often used for backup and synchronisation purposes. Consumers who effectively utilise cloud storage need to ensure that they regularly back up their important files and enable automatic synchronisation across their devices.

This ensures that their data is protected and accessible from anywhere.

4. Security and privacy

It’s crucial for consumers to prioritise the security and privacy of their cloud storage.

This involves using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication and being cautious when sharing sensitive information.

Understanding the security features provided by the cloud storage service and implementing appropriate settings is important for effective usage.

Huawei Mobile Cloud, for example, prioritises the security and privacy of your data. It implements robust encryption protocols and advanced security measures to safeguard your files from unauthorised access. Additionally, you have full control over your privacy settings, allowing you to manage sharing permissions and protect your sensitive information. 

5. Maximise available storage

Cloud storage providers offer limited free storage, with options to upgrade for additional space.

Consumers can use their storage effectively by evaluating their needs and using the available space wisely.

This may involve compressing files, deleting duplicates, or considering paid plans for more storage if required.

6. Collaboration and sharing

Cloud storage often facilitates collaboration and file sharing. Consumers who use their cloud storage effectively can take advantage of these features by sharing files and folders with colleagues, friends, or family members, thereby enhancing productivity and convenience.

7. Integration with other services

Cloud storage can be integrated with various other services and applications. Effective users explore and leverage these integrations to enhance their workflow. The Huawei Mobile Cloud provides seamless data synchronisation across Huawei devices.

This means that if you have multiple Huawei devices, such as a smartphone, tablet or smartwatch, your data can be synchronised automatically, allowing you to access your files, photos and other data from any of your devices.

Overall, the effective use of cloud storage by consumers depends on their understanding of the features, proper organisation and file management, regular backup, and synchronisation practices, attention to security and privacy, efficient use of available storage, utilisation of collaboration and sharing features, as well as integration with other services.

If you’re a Huawei user, you can visit the Huawei Mobile Cloud website  and the PC Client version to explore how best you can use your smartphone’s storage capabilities.

This union comes at a time when South Africa is opening its gates to allow for economic growth following two years of the Covid19 pandemic that left a dent in the country’s economy.

Together, Silicon Cape and Huawei Cloud will provide entrepreneurs and startups with a platform to grow their innovative ideas, thus contributing to the growth of the country’s economy. An average of 50 % of all start-up businesses in South Africa fail within 24 months due to the inability and inexperience of their owners. 

Vusi Thembekwayo Co-Chairperson of Silicon Cape says: “This partnership is a step in the right direction not just for startups and entrepreneurs who are making a positive change, but also for the advocacy of our economy.

South Africa is a country with rich talent that needs to be nurtured whether financially or educationally. Through this new venture, systematic barriers of financial background and race will be tackled, as we strive toward a reformed entrepreneurial ecosystem” 

The government, along with corporates and institutions play a vital role in the development of startups and their sustainability.

The work of all other institutions which are included in the startup ecosystem is directly conditioned by the measures and laws that the government adopts, and their influence is critical for startup companies to succeed.

While funding is regarded as the biggest challenge facing startups, there is still a major gap that institutions can bridge to help startups.

The support that institutions gave to startup companies are broad types such as mentoring and connecting, and financial and functional types for example business model assistance and incubation. 

“Just like startups, we need to be innovative in how we can grow the entrepreneurial ecosystem. There is always a gap that institutions can fill to empower startups and play a role in the development of our country,” Thembekwayo adds. 

Huawei Cloud President (Southern Africa) Stone He says,” As a technological institution, we saw an opportunity to introduce individuals and groups with invaluable resources that will help them accelerate and elevate their companies.

Through this initiative, we want to empower and enable startups, as they grow their businesses through the adoption of cloud as technology advances, all businesses need to position themselves with the ongoing developments in order to stay afloat and remain competitive in the market. We believe the power of our cloud will springboard these organisations into the era of digitalisation” 

During the initiative, Huawei Cloud will be hosting a cohort of approximately 20 startups and taking them through the ins and outs of cloud adoption to accelerate their companies.

This platform will educate and equip startups with the relevant tools necessary to facilitate their innovative ideas.  

He concludes by saying: “We believe that Huawei Cloud will be offer these brilliant startups, exactly what they need to place them in the market. This is a great opportunity for Huawei with the support of Silicon Cape, to contribute and give back to upcoming talent. 

In an effort to continue offering startups the support they need, Huawei Cloud will also be hosting a series of masterclasses and roundtables that are open to the public, which will also focus on the importance of embracing the era of digitalisation, cloud adoption and joint value creation. Interested Startups are encouraged to make use of the opportunity and apply to take part in the initiative”.