In a decisive move to bolster Nigeria’s digital ecosystem, the Federal Government (FG) has joined forces with the European Union (EU) to advance the country’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).
The high-level roundtable on the Nigeria Data Exchange Platform (NGDX) underscores a commitment to creating a secure, inclusive, and citizen-focused digital system.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy in collaboration with the EU and Team Europe partners—Estonia, Finland, Germany, and France—aims to position Nigeria as a leader in digital transformation across Africa.
The EU, through its Digital for Development Hub, convened policymakers, regulators, legislators, and technology experts to discuss governance, technical frameworks, and operational standards for the NGDX.
The NGDX is poised to serve as the third pillar of Nigeria’s DPI, complementing the National Identity System and the National Payments Infrastructure.
Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, emphasized the transformative potential of the platform.
“Nigeria already has two of the three critical stacks for a successful DPI—the National Identity rail and the Payments rail.
The next frontier is a trusted Data Exchange that enables government and business to share and use data securely while ensuring citizens enjoy better services under a framework that guarantees privacy, security, and accountability,” Tijani explained.
He assured that the NGDX would fully comply with the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, ensuring citizens’ rights to privacy while empowering government and businesses with reliable and safe data-sharing mechanisms.
The Minister confirmed that the functional NGDX is expected to be delivered by the end of 2025, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Highlighting the strategic importance of Nigeria in the EU’s global digital agenda, Massimo De Luca, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, announced that the EU had approved €18 million to support the development of Nigeria’s DPI.
“Digital Public Infrastructure is more than just technology. It empowers societies through secure digital identities, seamless payments, and trusted data governance.
Such frameworks require strong legal safeguards on data and privacy. DPI must be inclusive, equitable, secure, human-centric, and sustainable,” De Luca said.
The EU delegation emphasized that the NGDX will benefit from ongoing projects such as BRIDGE, which is rolling out 90,000 km of fibre-optic cables nationwide, and 3MITT, a programme designed to equip Nigerian youth with vital ICT skills.
These initiatives reflect a long-term strategy to accelerate digital adoption, enhance connectivity, and cultivate a skilled workforce capable of supporting Nigeria’s growing digital economy.
The conference also addressed the importance of a robust governance framework to ensure transparency, accountability, and interoperability within Nigeria’s data ecosystem.
Participants highlighted the need for clear regulations that balance innovation with the protection of citizens’ personal information.
Industry stakeholders expressed optimism that the NGDX would enhance service delivery, streamline regulatory compliance, and provide businesses with reliable data insights to drive growth and investment.
The partnership between the FG and EU is expected to catalyze technological innovation while positioning Nigeria as a regional digital hub.
As the NGDX moves closer to operationalization, experts anticipate that the platform will facilitate secure data exchange between public and private sectors, strengthen trust in government services, and unlock new opportunities for economic growth.
Dr. Tijani concluded, “A fully functional Data Exchange will revolutionize how Nigerians interact with government and businesses, providing a foundation for innovation, investment, and social empowerment.
This partnership with the EU marks a historic step toward a digitally inclusive future.”
With the EU’s financial backing and Nigeria’s strong policy commitment, the NGDX promises to set new benchmarks in digital governance, data security, and citizen-centric service delivery, heralding a transformative era for the nation’s digital landscape.