The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, has called on African nations to urgently establish domestic cloud infrastructure and assert control over their data, warning that failure to do so could entrench long-term digital dependence on foreign powers.
Speaking at a high-level session during the GITEX Africa 2026 in Marrakech, Inuwa stressed that Africa must transition from being a passive consumer of global technology to becoming a key architect of its own digital future. He cautioned that the continent’s current fragmented approach to digital development leaves it exposed to external disruptions and limits the growth of a truly unified digital economy.
Describing today’s global ecosystem as one driven by rapid data exchange and intelligent systems, Inuwa underscored the urgency of digital integration, calling it essential for national survival. He likened cloud infrastructure to a life-support system for the modern world.
“Digital is no longer optional ,it is a way of life,” he said. “And the cloud is the oxygen that sustains it. The critical question is: who controls that oxygen?”
Inuwa explained that cloud sovereignty entails local data storage, domestic computing capacity, and stronger regulatory control. Without these, African countries remain vulnerable to foreign policy shifts and geopolitical interests that could affect access to critical digital infrastructure.
He advocated for a coordinated, continent-wide strategy that replaces isolated national efforts with a federated system one that pools resources and expertise to build a resilient African cloud ecosystem. Such a model, he noted, would ensure that data generated within Africa is harnessed locally to power innovation, particularly in artificial intelligence, rather than being exported for external benefit.
Highlighting the scale of the challenge, Inuwa revealed that while Africa represents between 15 and 19 percent of the global population, it accounts for only about 0.6 percent of global data centre and computing capacity. He described this disparity as a major structural weakness with implications for security, economic independence, and global competitiveness.
“This is not just a technology gap it is a sovereignty gap,” he stated. “We generate vast amounts of data, yet we lack control over how it is stored, processed, and monetised.”
He warned that continued reliance on foreign-owned cloud platforms could undermine national security, limit economic opportunities, and weaken policy autonomy, particularly as data becomes a central asset in the global economy.
Despite these concerns, Inuwa pointed to Africa’s strong potential, citing its youthful population, rising internet penetration, and vibrant startup ecosystem as key enablers of digital transformation. He noted that the continent has a unique opportunity to leapfrog outdated systems and build modern, scalable infrastructure.
However, he emphasized that this vision can only be achieved through collaboration among governments, private sector stakeholders, and regional bodies.
“No single African country can achieve this alone,” he said. “We must integrate our efforts and build shared infrastructure that benefits the entire continent.”
Central to his proposal is the concept of a “cloud of clouds” a federated network that connects national and regional cloud platforms into a unified, interoperable system. This approach would allow countries to retain control over their data while benefiting from shared standards, scalability, and cross-border cooperation.
Inuwa referenced Gaia-X as a useful model, noting that while Africa’s realities differ, the principle of building a trusted and interconnected cloud ecosystem remains applicable.
He clarified that cloud sovereignty should not be seen as digital isolationism, but as the ability of nations to define their own digital policies, standards, and priorities.
“Sovereignty is about choice our ability to shape systems that reflect our values and interests,” he explained.
Inuwa further highlighted the economic benefits of investing in local cloud infrastructure, including job creation, innovation growth, improved digital services, and increased investor confidence. He added that stronger cloud capabilities would also position Africa to compete in emerging fields such as AI, big data analytics, and the Internet of Things.
Concluding his address, Inuwa stressed that digital sovereignty is not merely a technological ambition but a strategic necessity for long-term stability and growth. He urged African nations to act decisively in building indigenous digital infrastructure to safeguard their future.
As global digital competition intensifies, he noted, Africa’s ability to collaborate and take ownership of its data and infrastructure will determine whether it becomes a major player in the digital economy or remains on the margins of the technological revolution.
