Nigeria has unveiled an ambitious US $2 billion national fiber-optic project to international investors at the Africa Investment Forum in Rabat, Morocco, as the government accelerates plans to modernize its digital infrastructure and expand broadband access across the country. The initiative, known as Project BRIDGE, aims to deploy around 90,000 kilometers of new fiber-optic cables, bringing Nigeria’s national backbone network to an estimated 125,000 kilometers once completed. This marks one of the most significant digital infrastructure investments in the country’s history and is expected to dramatically scale Nigeria’s connectivity capacity.
During the presentation, Nigerian officials highlighted the project’s financing structure, which combines public funding and development-partner support. The government has committed US $1 billion, while negotiations are underway for an African Development Bank-led package of approximately US $800 million. Nigeria is also seeking a concessional US $500 million loan from the World Bank, alongside potential participation from institutions including the European Investment Bank and the Africa Finance Corporation. The funding will be channeled through a Special Purpose Vehicle designed to attract private-sector participation and ensure long-term sustainability.
The government emphasized that the project is essential for addressing the country’s persistent digital divide. While major cities enjoy relatively good broadband coverage, rural and underserved regions continue to face limited access due to the high cost of infrastructure deployment and the commercial reluctance of private Internet Service Providers. Project BRIDGE is designed as an open-access, middle-mile network that will lower operational costs for ISPs, enabling them to extend last-mile services to households, businesses, schools, and healthcare centers nationwide.
Officials noted that the expanded backbone will also optimize the use of the multiple submarine cables landing on Nigeria’s coast, improving network reliability, reducing internet costs, and supporting the growth of the digital economy. Analysts say the backbone expansion could unlock new opportunities in e-commerce, digital financial services, remote education, and telemedicine, while enabling Nigeria to compete more effectively in the global digital marketplace.
Nigeria’s pitch in Rabat forms part of a broader strategy to position the country as a leading digital investment destination in Africa. If fully funded and executed, the project is expected to transform the national connectivity landscape, broaden digital inclusion, and boost economic productivity across rural and urban communities.
