Nigeria Accelerates Digital Transformation with World Bank Talks and Massive Fibre Optic Expansion

By Abass Ganiyu
Nigeria has embarked on an ambitious plan to revolutionize its digital infrastructure, aiming to significantly enhance its fibre optic network. This move comes just weeks after the Federal Government approved a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to support the delivery of an additional 90,000 km of fibre optic cable, bringing the total to 125,000 km. The expansion will position Nigeria as having the third-longest terrestrial fibre optic backbone in Africa, behind only South Africa and Egypt.

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, announced the initiative during the kickoff of Nigeria Week in Washington, United States. Tijani, a co-founder of CcHUB, Nigeria’s first tech hub, has been a vocal advocate for prioritizing broadband development to propel Nigeria's digital economy forward.

During the event at the World Bank headquarters, Tijani engaged in discussions with the World Bank Global Digital Development team, focusing on the country’s digital economy agenda. These talks aimed to secure support for Nigeria's plans to expand its fibre optic network and advance the digital trade framework.

“A great kickoff for Nigeria Week today at the World Bank headquarters in Washington, DC. Excellent discussions with the World Bank Global Digital Development team on our digital economy agenda, particularly our plans to build out a 90,000 km fibre optic network,” Tijani shared on X (formerly Twitter).

The project is expected to bridge significant connectivity gaps by linking over 200,000 educational, healthcare, and social institutions across Nigeria, facilitating broader internet access and digital inclusion. This effort is crucial as Nigeria strives to meet its National Broadband Plan 2020-2025 targets, which aim for 70% broadband penetration and 90% population coverage by 2025. Currently, broadband penetration in the country remains below 50%.
Despite these ambitious targets, Nigeria faces numerous challenges, including a deficit in fibre infrastructure, high costs for Right of Way (RoW) licenses imposed by state governments, security issues, limited access to foreign exchange, and multiple taxation.

Tijani emphasized the importance of connectivity infrastructure for Nigeria's digital future, noting the collaborative efforts with the Broadband Alliance to ensure the project's success. “Building on our existing work with the Broadband Alliance, this increased connectivity will help plug the current non-consumption gap by connecting over 200,000 educational, healthcare, and social institutions across Nigeria, ensuring that a larger section of our society can be included in the benefits of internet connectivity,” Tijani stated.

In addition to the fibre optic expansion, Tijani has developed an artificial intelligence roadmap, engaging over 120 researchers to bolster Nigeria's position in the digital economy.

As Nigeria advances this initiative, the support from global partners like the World Bank will be instrumental in overcoming the infrastructural and financial hurdles, ensuring the nation can achieve its digital transformation goals.

For more updates on Nigeria's digital economy developments and other breaking news, follow GoProForum on social media and stay informed with real-time updates and exclusive content.

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