The Nigerian Government has officially announced its ambitious plans to deploy 90,000 kilometers of fiber optic cable, with the project set to commence in the final quarter of 2025. This initiative follows a substantial funding boost of $700 million from various development partners, including the World Bank, the African Development Bank (AfDB), and the Islamic Development Bank.
The project aims to significantly enhance the country’s fiber optic infrastructure, expanding the existing network from 35,000 kilometers to an impressive 125,000 kilometers. This expansion is designed to increase internet penetration across Nigeria to over 70% of the population, thereby connecting millions of Nigerians who are currently excluded from the digital landscape.
Dr. Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, announced the start date during an industry-focused session titled “Fostering Connectivity in Unserved and Underserved Communities: Collaborating for Sustainable Growth.” He highlighted that in 2024, the Federal Executive Council had approved the establishment of a special purpose vehicle to oversee the delivery of this critical project.
Upon completion, Nigeria’s fiber optic backbone is projected to become the third longest in Africa, following Egypt and South Africa. Tijani noted that this expansion will optimize the utilization of Nigeria’s eight submarine cables, increasing data capacity utilization from the current 10%. This improvement is expected to drive down the cost of internet access by over 60%, making connectivity more affordable for the general population.
Tijani emphasized the broader societal benefits of this increased connectivity, stating, “This increased connectivity will help plug the current non-consumption gap by connecting over 200,000 educational, healthcare, and social institutions across Nigeria. It will ensure that a larger section of our society can be included in the benefits of internet connectivity.”
In addition to enhancing coverage for over 70% of the population, the project aims to connect at least 50% of the 33 million Nigerians who are currently without internet access. This initiative represents a significant step towards bridging the digital divide in Nigeria and fostering inclusive growth through improved connectivity.
