Huawei has launched Nigeria’s first local cloud service, becoming the first international cloud vendor to offer such services in the country, according to a statement released on Wednesday.
The service, which utilises Tier 3+ data centres, reportedly delivers the fastest cloud services in Nigeria with a latency of just 15 milliseconds.
These centres provide data storage and computing resources designed for local businesses and sectors, ensuring that all data stays within Nigeria.
The statement highlighted that the launch event, themed “Leap Now With A Better Cloud,” took place in Lagos and marked a significant step toward meeting the country’s data protection regulations.
The service is aligned with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission’s (NDPC) objectives, which aim to minimise cross-border data transfers and ensure that data remains stored locally.
Huawei’s local cloud is expected to support data sovereignty and help businesses comply with data protection regulations.
It also noted that fintech companies, which require strict adherence to data privacy laws, stand to benefit significantly.
Additionally, Huawei’s local cloud service will bring intelligent and innovative cloud capabilities to Nigeria and serve as a hub for West African countries.
Speaking at the launch event, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, stated in his remarks that “Lagos State has been working with Huawei for a while, and today’s event reaches its zenith with the launch of the Huawei Local Cloud.
“This marks a significant milestone for Nigeria in our journey towards technology advancement. The introduction of a local cloud by Huawei is a huge deal because it would largely help businesses and everyone, as it’ll also enhance sovereignty. I encourage all to embrace these ideas as they set a transformative course for Lagos, Nigeria, and Africa at large.”
Regarding Huawei’s strategy for Nigeria’s digital transformation, the CEO of Huawei Nigeria, Chris Lu, stressed the company’s commitment to fostering Nigeria’s digital economy through innovative and reliable solutions.
He noted that the local cloud in Nigeria offers businesses across the country an opportunity to thrive in a secure and efficient digital environment. “With disruptive technology, we can transform our daily lives, our industry, and our economy for this country,” Lu added.
Emphasising the significance of the first local cloud launch in Nigeria, Lu noted that “not knowing where your data is stored is terrifying. The Huawei local cloud provides a world where your data and that of your customers are safely protected.
“For Huawei, it’s important that we build in Nigeria because we have been working with our local partners who are great at developing applications and services for various industries and consumers. So, it became imperative to serve them with a local cloud, which helps us provide better latency and better services to our customers so that they feel confident and secure while ensuring the data sovereignty of their customers.”
