The Federal Government of Nigeria has secured a $100 million investment from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to fast-track the nationwide deployment of fibre-optic broadband infrastructure under its key digital programme, Project BRIDGE (Building Resilient Digital Infrastructure for Growth). The funding commitment was confirmed by Dr. Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, who said the EBRD Board formally approved the investment following strategic engagements with European partners aimed at supporting Nigeria’s digital infrastructure goals.
The EBRD investment complements an earlier $500 million financing package from the World Bank Group, reflecting increasing international backing for Nigeria’s broadband expansion plan. In addition to these investments, the European Union has pledged €45 million under its Digital Economy Package. Of this total, €22 million has been earmarked specifically for Project BRIDGE to support the rollout of the fibre-optic network, while the remainder is being directed toward strengthening digital public services and scaling up the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, a national initiative focused on building digital skills and workforce capacity across the country.
Project BRIDGE is designed to deploy approximately 90,000 kilometres of fibre-optic cable across Nigeria. The infrastructure will be delivered through a Special Purpose Vehicle that encourages public-private partnerships and attracts long-term investment, with the goal of significantly expanding broadband access in both urban and underserved rural areas. Expanding the fibre footprint is seen as essential to closing the digital divide, especially in regions where connectivity has remained limited and prohibitively expensive.
Officials emphasise that the combined investments are expected to bolster digital inclusion, improving access to high-speed internet for education, healthcare, commerce, and government services. The broadband expansion is also aligned with national targets to increase Nigeria’s broadband penetration well beyond current levels, enabling more citizens and businesses to take advantage of modern digital opportunities. Strengthening connectivity is viewed as a key enabler for economic growth, innovation, and competitiveness in the broader West African digital economy. Nigeria’s current fibre infrastructure, which industry figures estimate at roughly 35,000 kilometres, has been widely regarded as insufficient to meet the rapidly growing demand for fast, affordable internet. The launch of Project BRIDGE with multi-layered international financing marks a major milestone in the government’s efforts to transform the country’s digital landscape and position it for future growth.
