Guidelines for Nigerian Content Development in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) (As Amended, August 2019)

Guidelines require government agencies to prioritize locally developed ICT products and services in their operations. They target government bodies, ICT companies, and local professionals. This aims to grow Nigeria's domestic ICT industry.

What Is This Policy?

Regulatory guidelines issued by NITDA that require government agencies and organizations to prioritize the use of locally developed ICT products, services, and personnel in their procurement and operations, with the goal of building domestic ICT capacity.

Who Does It Target?

Government ministries, departments, and agencies procuring ICT solutions ICT companies and service providers operating in Nigeria Foreign technology firms doing business in Nigeria Local software developers, hardware assemblers, and ICT professionals

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Grow Nigeria's domestic ICT industry by mandating minimum levels of local content in ICT procurement, encouraging technology transfer, and creating market opportunities for Nigerian ICT products and professionals.

Key Features

Local Content Requirements: Minimum thresholds for Nigerian participation in ICT projects, including staffing, training, and local sourcing Procurement Preferences: Government agencies must give preference to locally developed ICT solutions where they meet requirements Technology Transfer: Foreign firms must include knowledge transfer and capacity building components in their contracts Local Hosting: Requirements for hosting government data and applications on servers located in Nigeria Compliance Reporting: Regular reporting by organizations on their local content compliance levels

Current Status

Rollout Stage: Active and enforced Coverage: All government ICT procurement and major private sector ICT contracts Lead Agency: National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Enforcement: NITDA compliance reviews and clearance requirements for ICT projects

How to Access

Organizations must obtain NITDA clearance for ICT projects above specified thresholds. Submit ICT project proposals to NITDA for local content assessment Demonstrate compliance with local content thresholds Obtain NITDA clearance certificate before project execution

Official Resources

Website: nitda.gov.ng Contact: NITDA, Abuja

Legal Framework

The NITDA Guidelines for Nigerian Content Development in ICT are issued under the National Information Technology Development Agency Act 2007, which empowers NITDA to issue guidelines on ICT implementation by government. They operate alongside the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, the Public Procurement Act 2007 (on technology procurement preferences), and align with the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy 2020 and the Executive Order No. 3 on Nigerian content in government procurement.