Nigeria yearly loses n10 billion to online content hosted abroad
A very interesting and concerning topic!
Yes, it's true that Nigeria loses a significant amount of money to online content hosted abroad. According to a report by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the country loses around N10 billion (approximately $27 million USD) annually due to the hosting of online content outside the country.
This is because many Nigerian businesses, individuals, and organizations host their online content, such as websites, social media pages, and online applications, on foreign servers, rather than on local servers in Nigeria. This means that the revenue generated from these online activities, such as advertising, e-commerce, and data sales, is taken out of the country and not reinvested in the Nigerian economy.
The NCC report highlights the need for Nigeria to develop its own digital infrastructure and hosting capabilities to reduce this loss of revenue. The report also emphasizes the importance of promoting local content creation and hosting to boost the country's digital economy.
Some of the reasons why online content is hosted abroad include:
- Lack of reliable and affordable internet infrastructure in Nigeria.
- Limited availability of local hosting services and data centers.
- Higher costs associated with hosting content locally.
- Limited awareness and understanding of the benefits of hosting content locally.
To address this issue, the Nigerian government has launched initiatives to promote local hosting and content creation, such as the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (2020-2030) and the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (2019). These initiatives aim to create a more conducive environment for local businesses and individuals to host their online content and data in Nigeria, thereby retaining revenue and promoting the country's digital economy.
It's a complex issue, but with the right policies, infrastructure, and awareness, Nigeria can reduce its losses and promote its digital economy.