The Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI), a subsidiary of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has partnered with Galaxy Backbone Limited (GBB) to offer subsidized sovereign cloud services to iHatch program startups via the Galaxy Cloud Platform (GxCP). This initiative, built on Tier III/IV data centers, nationwide fiber, and robust cyber-security, aims to boost Nigeria’s digital ecosystem, foster local innovation, ensure data sovereignty, and enhance inclusion.
Key benefits of this partnership include reduced infrastructure costs for early-stage firms through phased cloud credits (Build, Validate, Scale stages, valid 12 months), transitioning to naira-based pay-as-you-go plans. GBB will provide a dedicated Startup Success Team, usage monitoring, and alerts for efficiency.
Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, called it vital for startup resilience and global competitiveness, aligning with local tech capacity building. GBB MD Prof. Ibrahim Adeyanju emphasized local data hosting for sovereignty and compliance, with a milestone support model. ONDI Coordinator Victoria Fabunmi highlighted iHatch’s reach (160+ startups, 37 hubs) and growth acceleration. GBB’s Abdul Malik Suleiman noted lowered innovation barriers. Stakeholders view this as a push for affordable local cloud alternatives, boosting investor confidence and positioning Nigeria as an African innovation leader.
