Nigeria’s digital infrastructure is poised for significant growth as Sahara Group and the Federal Government collaborate on the creation of a National Data Park and Compute Infrastructure at Egbin Power, Africa’s largest privately-operated thermal power plant.
This groundbreaking initiative will be spearheaded by Dr. Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy. The partnership aims to bolster data sovereignty and cybersecurity, driving accelerated economic growth across the country.
During a meeting held at Sahara Group’s Isle Centrum office in Lagos, Dr. Tijani emphasized that the proposed Data Park at Egbin aligns with the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (NAIS) launched in 2024. He outlined the critical role the Data Park will play in Nigeria’s digital transformation, positioning it as a key enabler for harnessing the nation’s digital economy. He pointed to the success of similar initiatives in countries like Ireland and Singapore, which have benefited from an influx of global tech companies.
“The Data Park will be pivotal in advancing Nigeria’s digital economy by ensuring centralized data management, enhancing coordination of computational resources, and accelerating the development and deployment of AI solutions across multiple sectors,” said Dr. Tijani.
Kola Adesina, Executive Director of Sahara Group, described the partnership as a “game-changing opportunity” to transform and maximize Nigeria’s digital potential. He highlighted Sahara Group’s commitment to sustainability and innovation, noting that the establishment of the Egbin Industrial Park is already a significant step in driving development in Nigeria.
“We are confident that our collaboration with the Federal Government will elevate Nigeria’s digital future. The Egbin Industrial Park will serve as a model for how public-private partnerships can drive world-class solutions across all sectors of the economy,” Adesina stated.
Adesina further explained that the Egbin Industrial Park would support Nigeria’s broader digital goals by fostering ecosystems that enhance governance, business, job creation, and quality of life for Nigerians. He emphasized that the project would also improve data sovereignty and security, reducing reliance on foreign cloud platforms and ensuring faster, more secure services for users.
Egbin Power, a Sahara Power Group affiliate, is Nigeria’s largest power station with a capacity of 1,320 MW, ensuring a reliable power supply crucial for the success of the Data Park. The plant’s access to deep-sea internet cables and over 500 hectares of available land further strengthens its potential as a prime hub for digital infrastructure.
Once fully operational, the National Data Park and Compute Infrastructure at Egbin Power is expected to drive significant economic growth, enhance research capabilities, improve services in healthcare, agriculture, and small business support, and create tens of thousands of jobs in technology and related sectors.