Nigeria is taking a significant step toward deepening its digital economy after African Development Bank (AfDB) approved a $200 million loan for Nigeria’s Project Bridge, deploying 90,000 km of open-access fibre nationwide, connecting all 774 local government areas to high-speed broadband, and supporting up to 2.8 million jobs.
The initiative will expand Nigeria’s fibre backbone to about 120,000 kilometres, improving broadband access nationwide and connecting all 774 local government areas, including underserved and rural communities, with high-speed internet.
According to the AfDB, the loan forms part of a broader $800 million sovereign financing package that includes $500 million from the World Bank and $100 million from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
Earlier, minister Bosun Tijani disclosed that the total funding for the project is estimated at $2 billion, combining public financing, a €22 million European Union grant, and over $1.2 billion in expected private sector investment.
According to AfDB’s Nigeria director general, Abdul Kamara, the project addresses longstanding infrastructure gap that has limited Nigeria’s ability to fully leverage its human capital and market size.
According to him, by expanding connectivity from urban centres to remote regions, the initiative is expected to unlock new opportunities in education, agriculture, manufacturing, and digital services.
Beyond infrastructure, the project will improve access through affordable devices, digital skills, and stronger platforms, while enhancing cybersecurity and resilience using renewable energy.
The government estimates that the initiative will create up to 2.8 million jobs and raise internet coverage from 45 percent to 70 percent by 2030.
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