Nigeria Plans 90,000km Fiber Network to Connect Millions

Nigeria is building a digital highway that could transform connectivity for tens of millions of people.

The country plans to deploy 90,000 kilometers of fiber optic cable across all 36 states by September 2030. That's enough cable to circle Earth more than twice.

The project, called BRIDGE, aims to connect more than 770 local government areas and bring high-speed internet to 59,000 schools, hospitals and other public institutions. If successful, Nigeria's broadband users would jump from 92 million to 150 million people.

A new company will manage the massive buildout, though it doesn't officially exist yet. The government expects to register the special purpose vehicle by July 31, allowing it to begin securing final investments and construction contracts.

The $1.6 billion project is backed by major development banks. The World Bank is contributing $500 million, with another $1.1 billion expected from private investors and commercial financing. The African Development Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and BADEA are also supporting the effort.

Private investors will own between 51% and 75% of the company, while the government holds a minority stake. This structure aims to limit political interference while giving the project commercial flexibility.

Physical construction is expected to begin in 2027. Crews will work across six zones simultaneously, installing roughly 80 to 90 kilometers of fiber daily at peak production. That's an aggressive timeline, requiring contractors to deploy hundreds of kilometers every month.

The Ripple Effect

The project goes beyond simply laying cable. Nigeria is creating shared infrastructure that mobile operators and internet providers can all use, lowering costs without each company building its own network.

The government expects wholesale bandwidth prices to drop by 17% while fixed broadband speeds increase to 50 Mbps. More affordable, faster internet could help businesses expand, students access educational resources, and health facilities improve telemedicine services.

The program also includes digital literacy training for 37,000 Nigerians, with women making up 60% of participants. This ensures communities have the skills to take advantage of new connectivity.

More than 30 local and international companies have already expressed interest in participating. The next phase focuses on finalizing investment agreements and beginning the engineering work needed to start construction.

Nigeria's digital economy increasingly depends on affordable, reliable connectivity, and this project could unlock opportunities across underserved communities for years to come.