Nigeria Moves Forward with $1.6 Billion Project BRIDGE to Expand Nationwide Fibre Connectivity

Nigeria is taking another major step toward strengthening its digital economy through Project BRIDGE, a large-scale infrastructure initiative aimed at expanding broadband access and improving internet connectivity across the country.

The Federal Government is expected to register a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) that will oversee the implementation of the project. Once incorporated, the SPV will be responsible for attracting private investment, coordinating construction across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, and managing the deployment of at least 90,000 kilometres of climate-resilient fibre-optic infrastructure by 2030.

Although the incorporation marks an important milestone, construction will only begin after investor selection, financial close, engineering design, route surveys, permits, and right-of-way agreements have been completed.

If delivered as planned, Project BRIDGE will expand Nigeria's national fibre backbone to approximately 120,000 kilometres, extending connectivity to more than 770 local government areas while linking thousands of schools, hospitals, and other public institutions to high-speed internet.

Unlike traditional telecommunications providers, the project follows an open-access wholesale model. This means the infrastructure will be shared by mobile network operators, internet service providers, and enterprise customers, helping reduce deployment costs and encourage wider broadband expansion.

Funding and Investment

Project BRIDGE has secured significant financial backing through a combination of development finance and private-sector investment. The financing package includes:

• $500 million from the World Bank through the International Development Association (IDA)
• $200 million from the African Development Bank
• $100 million from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
• $100 million from BADEA
• Additional private and commercial financing expected to bring the total investment to approximately $1.6 billion

The project is expected to operate under a public-private partnership structure, with private investors holding a majority stake while the Federal Government retains a minority ownership position.

An Ambitious Rollout

Construction plans target approximately:

• 17,500 km of fibre in the first year
• 25,000 km annually during 2028 and 2029
• 22,500 km during the final phase in 2030

To achieve this, the project will be divided into six engineering and construction zones operating simultaneously across the country.

Beyond laying fibre cables, the programme also aims to establish wholesale interconnection hubs, connect public institutions, improve network redundancy, and reduce broadband costs.

Expected Impact

Project BRIDGE is expected to:

• Increase broadband users from approximately 92 million to 150 million by 2030
• Reduce wholesale bandwidth costs by around 17%
• Improve average fixed broadband speeds to 50 Mbps
• Connect more than 59,000 public institutions to high-speed internet
• Provide digital literacy training for 37,000 Nigerians, with women making up a majority of participants

Challenges Ahead

Despite its potential, the project faces several challenges, including inflation, foreign exchange volatility, governance risks, procurement complexity, and right-of-way approvals across different states.

Network security is another concern. Thousands of fibre cuts are recorded annually due to vandalism and accidental damage, highlighting the importance of protecting critical digital infrastructure as the network expands.

Looking Ahead

Project BRIDGE represents one of Nigeria's most ambitious digital infrastructure investments to date. If successfully implemented, the initiative could significantly improve broadband accessibility, lower connectivity costs, encourage private-sector participation, and strengthen the country's digital economy for years to come.