The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced plans to commence the rollout of a 90,000-kilometer fibre optic cable network across the country in February 2025. This ambitious project aims to significantly expand Nigeria’s broadband infrastructure, increasing its backbone network from 35,000 kilometers to 125,000 kilometers.
The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, disclosed the plans in a statement on Twitter/X, stating that the project has received the approval of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The government is collaborating with development fund partners to finance the expansion, which is expected to boost connectivity and digital services across the country.
Meanwhile, in neighboring Kenya, the government has embarked on a similar initiative to expand its fibre optic network, but with a unique approach: utilising existing electricity power lines for deployment. This method is expected to reduce costs and accelerate the rollout process.
While Nigeria is preparing to expand its fibre optic infrastructure through a traditional trenching method, Kenya’s strategy offers several advantages such as reduced costs, faster deployment, and minimal disruption to urban areas by leveraging power lines. This approach avoids the time-consuming and expensive process of digging trenches, saving money and minimizing disruption to roads, sidewalks, and other infrastructure. Additionally, power lines often follow established routes, providing an efficient path for fibre optic deployment.
The southwestern counties of Kisii and Nyamira will be the first beneficiaries of Kenya’s power line-based fibre optic network, which aims to provide faster internet speeds and improved connectivity, stimulating economic growth in these regions.
While Nigeria’s planned rollout is a significant step in expanding its broadband infrastructure, Kenya’s innovative approach offers valuable lessons. By considering alternative methods for deployment, Nigeria could potentially accelerate its project and reduce costs.
The suitability of power line-based deployment may vary depending on factors like the existing power grid and geographic conditions. However, Kenya’s experience demonstrates the potential benefits of this approach, serving as a model for other countries aiming to expand their broadband networks efficiently.
