Nigeria has taken another bold step in its digital journey by securing a new €18 million partnership with the European Union and Team Europe. At the heart of this collaboration is a national Data Exchange Platform, which aims to create a secure, inclusive and trusted digital ecosystem.
The project was unveiled during a high-level forum hosted by the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy alongside the EU and European partners from Estonia, Finland, Germany and France. Supported by the Digital for Development Hub, the gathering brought together ministers, legislators, regulators, and private sector leaders to map out the governance and technical design of the initiative.
The government has committed to delivering a fully functional platform by the end of 2025, aligning the timeline with its broader economic reform agenda. According to stakeholders, the framework has been built around three non-negotiables: privacy, accountability, and security.
A Third Pillar for Digital Infrastructure
Officials described the platform as the third crucial pillar of Nigeria’s Digital Public Infrastructure, joining the National Identity System and the National Payments Infrastructure. Once live, it will allow data to move securely between government and businesses while improving services for citizens.
The government has committed to delivering a fully functional platform by the end of 2025, aligning the timeline with its broader economic reform agenda. According to stakeholders, the framework has been built around three non-negotiables: privacy, accountability, and security.
The European Union confirmed its financial contribution, describing Nigeria as a pivotal partner in its Global Gateway and International Digital Strategies. EU officials stressed that the initiative is not just about technology. “Digital Public Infrastructure empowers societies by enabling digital identities, trusted payments, and data governance rooted in inclusivity and sustainability,” they noted.
This new investment builds on previous EU-backed programmes in Nigeria, such as fibre-optic broadband expansion, digital skills training for youth, and support for start-ups in the growing digital economy. By combining resources, Nigeria and the EU are looking to establish a model that could set new benchmarks for digital transformation across Africa.
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