What Galaxy Backbone does

Galaxy Backbone Limited is a Nigerian government-owned ICT infrastructure provider, established in 2006 and wholly owned by the Federal Government of Nigeria under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy. The company operates the National Shared Services Center (NSSC), the only Uptime Institute Certified Tier III data center in Nigeria's public sector, alongside a secondary Tier IV facility in Kano, and the NICTIB fibre-optic backbone spanning over 5,000 kilometers across 26 states. Its platform portfolio includes the 1Government Cloud (sovereign cloud for MDAs), the Galaxy Cloud Platform (commercial cloud), GOVMail (150,000+ government email accounts), GovDNS (.gov.ng registry), OneGov ECMS, and the NGEA Portal for cross-ministry interoperability. Core technologies are backed by ISO/IEC 27001:2022, ISO 22301, and ISO 9001 certifications, with NDPR compliance.

Galaxy Backbone primarily serves federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (235+ MDAs), with secondary segments in SMEs (Galaxy Express, Galaxy Host Basic), large enterprises (Ultra Plus/Premium, Metro Connect, WAN Connect), and Nigerian startups via the NITDA-ONDI iHatch programme. Revenue is generated through subscription-based service contracts, colocation, managed services, and professional training, with annual billing cycles for enterprise and government clients and monthly billing for SME tiers. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. The go-to-market combines direct enterprise sales to MDAs, a growing channel partner network of system integrators, and government-sponsored distribution programmes for startups and underserved communities.

Strategic direction under current leadership, appointed in 2024 with a new board inaugurated in April 2025, emphasizes national digital transformation aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda. Major initiatives include Project Bridge (90,000 km fibre rollout), KOICA-supported NGEA Portal development, and the Police Trust Fund GIS digitization programme. The company celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2026 and continues to expand partnerships with state governments (Jigawa, Nassarawa), international development agencies (KOICA, World Bank, EU), and global technology providers (Huawei, Cisco, EMC).

Name

Galaxy Backbone

Legal name

Galaxy Backbone Limited

Website

https://galaxybackbone.com.ng

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Galaxy Backbone is a Nigerian government-owned ICT infrastructure provider operating the country's only public-sector Tier III data center and a 5,000+ km fibre backbone, serving federal ministries, large enterprises, SMEs, and startups with sovereign cloud, connectivity, and managed services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government Cloud Infrastructure

NAICS

Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518210), Wired Telecommunications Carriers (517111), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)

SIC

Computer Communications Equipment (3576), Computer Storage Devices (3572)

akta.pro primary industry

Data Center Operations & Managed Services (Remote Hands, NOC/SOC) (HDABANAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Network Services & Managed Data Center Networking (HDABAFAM), Edge Compliance, Governance & Data Sovereignty Infrastructure (HDABAOAL), Network, Infrastructure & Data Center Integration (BPAEAAAK)

Keywords

• Government ICT infrastructure
• Sovereign cloud services
• Data center colocation
• Fibre optic backbone
• Managed network services

Headquarters

HQ city

Abuja

HQ country

Nigeria

HQ region

Africa

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government ICT Services: Galaxy Backbone provides a comprehensive suite of ICT services to Federal Government MDAs, including internet access, cloud services, cybersecurity, managed network services, data center colocation, and enterprise content management. Revenue is generated through service contracts with government ministries and agencies.
2. Enterprise Connectivity Services: Large enterprises access high-speed internet via Galaxy Ultra Plus, Galaxy Ultra Premium, Metro Connect, WAN Connect, and Clear-Connect services. These dedicated connectivity solutions are priced based on bandwidth and service tier requirements.
3. SME Services: Small and medium enterprises access Galaxy Express internet services and Galaxy Host Basic managed web hosting through simplified service offerings tailored for SME needs and budget constraints.
4. Data Center Colocation and Cloud Services: Co-location services, cloud backup, cloud storage, and disaster recovery services provided through the National Shared Services Center, targeting both government and private sector organizations.
5. Professional Services and Training: Galaxy Learning Services provides professional practical training and certification for users, administrators, and first responders of MDAs. Galaxy Consulting offers IT consulting, project management, and security consulting services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Galaxy Backbone operates Nigeria's federal government ICT infrastructure, providing sovereign cloud platforms, Tier III and Tier IV data center services, a national fibre-optic backbone spanning 26 states, and managed connectivity, security, and unified communications services. The company primarily serves federal ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), while also offering tailored internet, hosting, and cloud services to SMEs, large enterprises, system integrators, and startups.

Product overview

Galaxy Backbone operates a unified platform-plus-modules architecture serving Nigeria's digital government infrastructure. The core offerings include the 1Government Cloud (1Gov Cloud) sovereign cloud platform and Galaxy Cloud Platform providing IaaS/PaaS services from Tier III/IV data centres. The company provides a comprehensive connectivity suite including the National ICT Infrastructure Backbone (NICTIB) optical fibre network spanning 26 states, alongside managed LAN/WAN services (Galaxy LAN Connect, Galaxy WAN Connect, Galaxy Metro Connect). Enterprise communication is delivered through Galaxy Telexperience for video conferencing and Galaxy Contact Plus for hosted contact centre services. Data services encompass Galaxy Colo-Plus co-location, Galaxy Host Basic/Premium web hosting, and GovBackup/GovBackup Plus for disaster recovery. Government-specific services include Govmail (150,000+ email accounts), GovDNS domain registration, and the OneGov ECMS for paperless operations. The portfolio also includes Galaxy Express/Ultra Plus/Ultra Premium internet access tiers and Galaxy Learning Services for capacity building.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 1Government Cloud (1Gov Cloud): Government cloud platform for digitalising government processes, Enterprise Content Management (ECM), and paperless operations across MDAs
• GovMail
• Galaxy Cloud Platform
• National Shared Services Centre (NSSC)

Products and services

• 1Government Cloud (1Gov Cloud)
• Galaxy Cloud Platform
• Galaxy Data Center Services (National Shared Services Center)
• Optical Fibre Backbone (NICTIB)
• Galaxy Express
• Galaxy Ultra Plus
• Galaxy Ultra Premium
• Galaxy Metro Connect
• Galaxy WAN Connect
• Galaxy LAN Connect
• Galaxy Clear-Connect
• Galaxy Contact Plus
• Hosted Unified Communications and Call Centre Solutions
• Galaxy Telexperience
• Galaxy Host Basic
• Galaxy Host Premium
• Galaxy Colo-Plus
• GovBackup Plus
• GovMail
• GovDNS
• NGEA Portal
• 1Government Cloud ECMS (Enterprise Content Management System)
• Galaxy Cloud Platform - iHatch Startup Programme
• Galaxy Learning Services
• Galaxy Consulting
• Galaxy Colo-Plus Co-location

Quantifiable outcome

• 99.982% data center uptime achieved
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Simba Infrastructure LimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026Strategic partnership to jointly deploy hosted unified communications and hosted call centre solutions across Nigeria's 36 states, serving both public and private sector organizations. Combines Simba Infrastructure's converged communication expertise with Galaxy Backbone's Tier III and IV data centre infrastructure and fibre-optic network spanning 30 states and the FCT.
• National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026Strategic partnership through ONDI to provide subsidized sovereign cloud services to startups under the iHatch programme. Startups onboarded to Galaxy Cloud Platform with tiered, milestone-based cloud credits across Build, Validate, and Scale phases, valid for 12 months, with post-credit billing in Nigerian Naira.
• Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026ONDI, a unit of NITDA, partners with Galaxy Backbone to deliver subsidized sovereign cloud services for Nigerian startups through the iHatch programme. Programme has trained over 160 startups across 37 hub partners, targeting digital sovereignty and economic resilience.
• Police Trust Fund (PTF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026MoU signed to map and digitize police stations across Nigeria using GIS technology relative to Galaxy Backbone's fibre optic infrastructure. 12-month phased initiative funded by World Bank and European Union aims to improve connectivity and enable speech-to-text reporting systems.
• Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2026Partnership for development of the Nigeria Government Enterprise Architecture (NGEA) Portal with support from Korean experts over 2.5 years. NGEA aims to eliminate fragmented systems across government ministries by establishing shared standards, protocols, and interoperability.
• Rural Electrification Agency (REA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2025Landmark MoU to advance digital and energy access across Nigeria, combining Galaxy Backbone's digital infrastructure capabilities with REA's energy access mandate.
• HuaweicoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner and enterprise partner providing infrastructure technology solutions. Huawei logo displayed on Galaxy Backbone website as official partner.
• CiscocoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner providing networking and communications technology solutions for Galaxy Backbone's infrastructure.
• Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital EconomycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupervising ministry for Galaxy Backbone, providing policy direction and oversight for national digital transformation agenda aligned with President's Renewed Hope Agenda.
• Jigawa State GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState government partnership for digital transformation, including digital skills training for 110 civil servants and 1,000 youths in AI and blockchain technology.
• Nassarawa State UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for enhancing digital services and capacity building with the university.
• TETFUNDminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for strengthening research through ICT infrastructure and digital services.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Rack Centre: Rack Centre is Nigeria's leading carrier-neutral colocation data center operator with facilities in Lagos. It competes directly with Galaxy Backbone's NSSC in Tier III/IV data center services, colocation, and cloud connectivity for enterprise and government customers across Nigeria.
• MainOne (Equinix Nigeria): MainOne, now part of Equinix, operates the MDXi data center in Lagos and a submarine cable landing station. It directly competes with Galaxy Backbone on colocation, connectivity, and enterprise cloud services across Nigeria and West Africa.
• Open Access Data Centres (OADC): OADC is a WIOCC-owned carrier-neutral data center operator with facilities across Africa including Nigeria. It offers colocation and interconnection services that overlap with Galaxy Backbone's enterprise and wholesale data center offerings.

Broad incumbents

• Africa Data Centres: Africa Data Centres is a pan-African colocation provider with hyperscale facilities across the continent. As a broader incumbent, it competes for enterprise and government workloads in Nigeria and offers similar colocation, cloud, and managed services at a continental scale.
• MTN Nigeria (InfraCo / MoMo): MTN Nigeria operates extensive fibre and tower infrastructure across Nigeria and offers enterprise connectivity, cloud, and data center services. It is a broad incumbent overlapping with Galaxy Backbone's enterprise connectivity and SME service lines.
• Airtel Nigeria (SmartCash / Business): Airtel Nigeria provides fibre connectivity, enterprise data, and cloud services to businesses and government entities. As a major telecom incumbent, it competes with Galaxy Backbone on enterprise internet, WAN, and managed services.
• AWS Africa (Cape Town Region): AWS provides public cloud services across Africa including a Cape Town region, competing with Galaxy Cloud Platform for enterprise workloads. As a hyperscaler, it pressures sovereign cloud value propositions on price and feature breadth for non-government workloads.
• Microsoft Azure (Africa regions): Microsoft Azure operates cloud regions in Africa and competes with Galaxy Cloud Platform for enterprise and government digital workloads. Its scale, AI services, and enterprise integrations represent the principal private-sector cloud alternative for Nigerian customers.

Regional players

• Layer3 (now part of 21st Century Technologies): 21st Century Technologies (formerly Layer3) is a Nigerian systems integrator and network operator providing enterprise connectivity, cloud, and managed services. It is a regional competitor in the same Nigerian enterprise and government ICT services market as Galaxy Backbone.

Others

• NITDA (regulator/digital innovation arm): NITDA is Nigeria's IT regulatory and development agency and a partner of Galaxy Backbone via ONDI for the iHatch programme. It is adjacent as the policy enabler and innovation partner, not a direct competitor, but shapes the ecosystem in which Galaxy Backbone operates.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/galaxybackbone

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Galaxy Backbone