The Federal Government of Nigeria and the World Bank are joining forces to secure $3 billion in funding for the ambitious project of laying an additional 120,000km of fibre optic cables. The aim is to enhance broadband infrastructure and connectivity throughout Nigeria. The Minister of Communications, Innovations, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, unveiled this initiative during a stakeholders’ engagement event in Abuja themed “Realising a Nigerian Vision of Broadband for All.”
Dr. Tijani expressed optimism that the funds for the project would be raised within the next two to three years. The collaboration involves various stakeholders from the private sector, and the goal is to deliver the project over the next three years. The minister stressed the necessity of seeking investments in the nation’s digital backbone to ensure affordable access to the digital space for all Nigerians.
During the stakeholders’ meeting, Dr. Tijani highlighted the critical importance of attracting investments to fund broadband infrastructure. He emphasized the integral role of fiber optic cables in enabling quality internet access, describing them as the telecommunications infrastructure crucial for making the internet possible.
Nigeria has currently laid 3,035km of fiber optic cables. However, to provide Nigerians with quality and efficient access to the internet and other digital services, an additional 120,000km of fiber optic cables is deemed necessary.
Mr. Franz Drees-Gross, the World Bank Regional Director (Infrastructure) West and Central Africa, outlined the initial phase of the project, which involves laying 95,000km of fiber optic cables across Nigeria. This significant development is expected to enhance access to digital services and content throughout the country. Mr. Drees-Gross acknowledged Nigeria’s vibrant digital ecosystem and expressed the World Bank’s commitment to supporting the country in raising the required funds for this transformative project. Plans include setting up a digital National Broadband fund and rolling out the middle-mile cable to bring broadband to more parts of Nigeria.
With Nigeria’s impressive digital ecosystem, particularly in Lagos, the World Bank envisions the country becoming a hub for exporting digital services to West Africa. The collaboration between the Federal Government and the World Bank stands as a pivotal step toward realizing a vision of widespread broadband access for all Nigerians.
