Nigeria’s digital ambitions are growing rapidly, but its infrastructure must keep pace.
Industry stakeholders estimate that the country may require about 52,000 kilometres of additional fibre-optic infrastructure to meet long-term connectivity needs. The gap comes as demand for broadband, fintech, cloud services, data centres, e-commerce and digital government platforms continues to rise.
Speaking at the Telecom Sector Sustainability Forum, WTES Chief Operating Officer, Chidi Princewill Ajuzie, said existing fibre infrastructure remains insufficient for comprehensive national connectivity.
He identified high Right-of-Way charges, multiple regulatory requirements, foreign-exchange pressures and expensive financing as major obstacles to fibre deployment. He called for long-term financing structures capable of supporting infrastructure projects whose returns may take years to materialise.
Project BRIDGE
The Federal Government’s Project BRIDGE is designed to deploy about 90,000 kilometres of additional open-access fibre infrastructure, potentially expanding the national backbone to approximately 120,000 kilometres and connecting all 774 Local Government Areas.
The African Development Bank has approved a $200 million loan for the programme, while the World Bank and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development are supporting the broader financing structure.
Infrastructure sharing could also reduce duplication and deployment costs by allowing multiple digital service providers to use common fibre networks.
The stakes are high. Reliable connectivity now supports banking, electronic payments, education, e-commerce, businesses and government services.
Nigeria’s digital economy cannot grow on ambition alone. It needs the infrastructure to carry that ambition.
The question is no longer whether Nigerians want to go digital. The question is whether the infrastructure will be ready when they do.
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