The announcement came after a courtesy visit from Andrew Torre, Visa’s Regional President for Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (CEMEA), to the State House in Abuja on Friday, March 21. Vice President Kashim Shettima shared the update on his official X account.
As reported by the State House Nigeria, this initiative builds on Visa’s substantial investments in the country, which total over $1 billion. These investments include a technological partnership with Lagos-based fintech MoniePoint to enhance digital payment solutions, a $200 million investment in Interswitch, and a collaboration with ThriveAgric aimed at supporting smallholder farmers and improving food security.
Torre noted that the proposed data centre infrastructure is designed to introduce innovative technologies to Nigeria, thereby bolstering the nation’s expanding digital economy.
Vice President Shettima expressed his support for the initiative, highlighting the administration’s commitment to modernizing the agriculture sector, which is a central focus of President Bola Tinubu’s 8-point agenda.
“Nigeria is the hub of activity. Out of the ten fintech companies in Africa, approximately eight are based in Nigeria… Agriculture is crucial to the 8-point agenda of the current administration. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is highly focused on transforming the agriculture sector here, and we must invest in technology and modernization,” he stated.
