The federal government's digital initiative, Project BRIDGE, aims to deploy and deliver over 90,000 kilometres of open-access fibre across Nigeria's 36 states by 2028. This project is expected to significantly improve the country's digital infrastructure, enhancing connectivity and facilitating economic growth. According to National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, the project will take Nigeria's combined backbone from about 35,000 kilometres to around 125,000 kilometres.
The project, when completed, is expected to connect more than 200,000 schools, health facilities, and other public institutions in the country. This will be a major milestone in Nigeria's quest for digital inclusion and a technology-driven economy. Yilwatda stressed that digital infrastructure is fundamental to Nigeria's economic transformation, and the country's ambitions in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and digital inclusion cannot be achieved without robust and affordable connectivity infrastructure.
To ensure the project's success, the federal government incorporated Bridge Open Access in August as an independent company to deliver the network. The government, through the Ministry of Finance Incorporated, is expected to hold between 25 and 49 per cent, while private investors will hold between 51 and 75 per cent, and retain operational control. This structure is designed to ensure that the government provides the necessary de-risking and strategic support while the private sector brings operational discipline, investment, and efficiency to the project.
Yilwatda disclosed that about $800 million in sovereign financing had already been secured for the initiative. This includes $500 million from the World Bank, $100 million from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and $200 million from the African Development Bank, in addition to a €22 million grant from the European Union. However, he noted that about $1.2 billion was still required from private capital to complete the financing needs of the project.
The physical rollout of the project is scheduled to commence in October 2026, with the delivery period reduced from five years to three years and completion now targeted for 2028. Yilwatda emphasised that the success of the initiative would depend on moving beyond policy announcements to actual implementation. He cautioned that announcements do not lay cable, and the project requires more than just policy support to succeed.
Yilwatda also highlighted that fibre deployment alone would not automatically translate into digital inclusion without complementary investments in electricity, affordable devices, and affordable data services. The project requires a multi-faceted approach to ensure that the benefits of digital infrastructure are equitably distributed and that the country can maximise its potential in the digital economy.
The chairman made these disclosures during a virtual executive session with Chief Executive Officers of the information technology industry in Abuja. The session was an opportunity for stakeholders to engage with the national chairman on the project's progress and the role of the private sector in supporting the initiative. With the right implementation and investment, Project BRIDGE has the potential to transform Nigeria's digital landscape and drive economic growth.
Key points
- The federal government's Project BRIDGE aims to deploy 90,000km of open-access fibre across 36 states by 2028.
- The project requires $1.2 billion in private capital to complete its financing needs.
- The initiative is expected to connect over 200,000 schools, health facilities, and other public institutions in Nigeria.
