Nigeria has secured a $200 million loan from the African Development Bank Group to support the rollout of a 90,000 kilometre open-access fibre optic network, in a major step toward strengthening the country’s digital economy.
The funding forms part of a broader $800 million sovereign financing package for the Digital Value Chain Infrastructure for Boosting Employment (D-VIBE) Project, also known as Project BRIDGE.
The initiative aims to expand Nigeria’s fibre backbone from about 30,000 kilometres to 120,000 kilometres, with a target to connect all 774 local government areas to high-speed internet infrastructure.
According to the bank, the facility complements $500 million in funding from the World Bank and $100 million from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, bringing total sovereign-backed financing for the project to $800 million.
The overall cost of the project is estimated at $2 billion, with additional funding expected from development grants and private sector investments. The financing structure also includes a €22 million grant from the European Union, a $2.6 million project preparation grant from the Multilateral Cooperation Center for Development Finance, and at least $1.2 billion in private sector participation.
Speaking on the initiative, the Director-General of the AfDB Nigeria Office, Abdul Kamara, said the project would address Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit and unlock economic opportunities across sectors. He noted that improved connectivity would enhance nationwide economic activities and enable more young Nigerians to participate in the digital economy.
The development follows earlier disclosures by the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, who confirmed additional investment support from the EBRD for Project BRIDGE. He added that part of the funding would support digital public services and the Three Million Technical Talent programme aimed at building a skilled workforce.
Industry projections suggest the project could generate up to 2.8 million jobs over its lifecycle, while increasing Nigeria’s broadband penetration from about 45 per cent to roughly 70 per cent by 2030.
The initiative will also establish cross-border fibre links with neighbouring countries such as Benin, Cameroon, Niger, and Chad, strengthening regional digital integration.
Beyond infrastructure, the project is designed to address demand-side challenges, including access to affordable devices and digital skills development. It also incorporates provisions for cybersecurity, improved regulatory frameworks to boost competition, and the use of hybrid and renewable energy solutions to enhance network resilience.
Meanwhile, the federal government has called for expressions of interest for a National Digital Economy Research Cluster under Project BRIDGE, which will provide data-driven insights across areas such as connectivity, digital infrastructure, skills development, online safety, and artificial intelligence to guide policy implementation.
TNAM
Edited By Egwu Patience Nnennaya.
