Morganable Technology | AI
Nigeria is moving to expand its digital infrastructure with plans for two AI-ready data centres in Lagos and Delta states.
Lagos —
Nigeria is set to strengthen its digital infrastructure with plans for two new data centres designed to support artificial intelligence and cloud services.
The United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) announced on September 23, 2026, that it is funding a feasibility study for the proposed facilities.
The project is being developed with African investment firm INFRAGORA Global Capital. The planned data centres will be located in Lagos and Delta states.
According to USTDA, the facilities could have a combined capacity of 60 to 70 megawatts. The project also has room to expand that capacity to 100 megawatts.
The development comes as demand for computing power grows across Nigeria’s digital economy.
AI needs stronger infrastructure
Artificial intelligence requires large amounts of computing power. It also depends on reliable data storage, cloud services and strong digital networks.
As more businesses adopt AI tools, the need for local infrastructure is expected to increase.
The proposed facilities are designed to meet part of that need. USTDA said the Lagos centre will have AI-ready and cloud-enabled capacity.
It is also planned to receive Tier IV certification. The Delta facility is expected to provide backup capacity and serve as a disaster recovery site.
This setup could help businesses maintain access to important digital services if one facility experiences an outage or other disruption.
The project is being developed under the AFRIDATA Datacenter Platform. Nigeria is the first country targeted under the wider platform, according to USTDA.
More capacity for businesses
The proposed data centres will not serve only AI companies.
USTDA said the facilities will use a model that combines AI computing, cloud services and colocation.
This means companies will be able to rent space and computing infrastructure instead of building all the facilities themselves.
Potential users include cloud service providers, banks and mobile network operators.
For Nigerian businesses, access to more local computing infrastructure could support the growth of digital services.
It could also provide more options for companies that need to store and process large amounts of data.
The planned facilities are expected to include traditional CPU server racks as well as higher-capacity racks for GPU servers.
GPUs are widely used for AI workloads because they can process many calculations at the same time.
The USTDA project information states that the two facilities could support 3,600 traditional 10-kilowatt server racks and 480 50-kilowatt racks designed for GPU servers.
Lagos and Delta to host facilities
Lagos will host the primary facility, while Delta will host the secondary centre.
The Lagos data centre is planned as the main AI and cloud facility. Delta will provide additional capacity and disaster recovery support.
The use of two locations is important because digital infrastructure needs reliable backup systems.
If a major problem affects one location, services can potentially be moved or recovered through another facility.
The project therefore goes beyond adding server space. It is also designed to improve resilience within Nigeria’s digital infrastructure.
A growing digital economy
Nigeria’s technology sector has expanded rapidly in recent years.
Fintech companies, banks, telecom operators and other businesses now depend heavily on digital platforms.
At the same time, AI is creating new demand for computing infrastructure.
Businesses are using AI for tasks such as customer service, fraud detection, data analysis and automation.
These applications require reliable systems that can process and store large volumes of information.
The proposed data centres could support this wider digital ecosystem by providing additional infrastructure within Nigeria.
However, building large data centres also requires major investment in electricity, cooling, connectivity and security.
The project’s feasibility study is expected to examine the requirements before construction decisions are made.
Funding the feasibility study
USTDA said the feasibility study is being supported through a grant to INFRAGORA.
The agency’s project information lists a grant of $1.87 million for the study.
The study will help assess the technical and commercial requirements for developing the two facilities.
It will also help determine how the proposed infrastructure can be developed and operated.
The next stage will therefore depend on the outcome of the feasibility work and subsequent investment decisions.
Why the project matters
Nigeria’s growing digital economy needs infrastructure that can keep pace with new technology.
AI is likely to increase that demand because advanced applications require more computing power than many traditional digital services.
Cloud computing is also becoming more important as businesses move more of their operations online.
More data-centre capacity could help meet these needs.
It could also create opportunities for companies that provide cloud services, connectivity, cybersecurity and other digital solutions.
For consumers, stronger digital infrastructure could support more reliable online services over time.
Still, the impact will depend on how quickly the proposed facilities move from planning to construction and operation.
For now, the USTDA-backed feasibility study marks an early step towards developing the project.
If the plans progress, Lagos and Delta could become important locations for Nigeria’s expanding AI and cloud infrastructure.
The development also highlights a wider shift in the country’s technology sector.
The focus is moving beyond digital applications to the infrastructure needed to power them.
As AI adoption grows, the availability of reliable computing, storage and cloud capacity will become increasingly important to Nigeria’s digital economy.
