Nigeria’s 90,000km Fibre Optic Cable Expansion Targets 50% Internet Inclusion, GDP Boost – Tijani

Federal government is making a significant investment in its digital future by launching a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to deliver an additional 90,000km of fibre optic cable.

This was disclosed by the Country’s Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani in Abuja, Nigeria, who said the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the project during its meeting on Tuesday.

This project promises to revolutionize internet connectivity across the country, unlocking a range of economic and social benefits.

Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, emphasized the project’s potential to attract local tech players and investors. Improved connectivity is a key indicator of the government’s commitment to bridging the digital divide and fostering a thriving startup ecosystem. The SPV, modeled after successful public-private partnerships like NIBSS and NLNG, signifies a collaborative approach to achieving these goals.

The project will more than triple Nigeria’s existing fibre optic network, propelling it to become Africa’s third-largest terrestrial backbone in this category, after Egypt and South Africa. This extensive network will not only enhance internet access but also optimize existing infrastructure. Nigeria boasts eight operational submarine cables, currently underutilized due to limited terrestrial connectivity. The additional fibre optic cable will significantly improve the utilization of these data pipelines.

The Minister gave the assurances that working with partners and stakeholders from the government and private sector, the SPV will build the additional fibre optic coverage required to take Nigeria’s connectivity backbone to a minimum of 125,000km, from the current coverage of about 35,000km.

Dr. Tijani further highlighted the project’s impact on education, healthcare, and social inclusion. By connecting over 200,000 institutions nationwide, the project will bridge the digital gap and empower more Nigerians to participate in the digital economy. This aligns with Nigeria’s partnership with the Broadband Alliance, a global initiative promoting universal broadband access.

Also Read: Nigeria Inaugurates First Fibre Optic Cable Factory in West Africa

The economic benefits are equally promising. The project is estimated to contribute up to 1.5% growth in GDP per capita over the next four years, raising Nigeria’s GDP to $502 billion from $472.6 billion (2022). Additionally, internet penetration is expected to rise above 70%, while access costs could plummet by over 60%.

Overall, Nigeria’s fibre optic cable expansion is a strategic move poised to transform the nation’s digital landscape. From attracting investment and bolstering the tech sector to promoting social inclusion and economic growth, this initiative promises a brighter future for Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.

Through the project, Tijani said Nigeria would achieve the inclusion of at least 50% of the 33 million Nigerians currently excluded from access to the internet. It is also expected to deliver up to 1.5% of gross domestic product (GDP) growth per capita, raising GDP from $472.6 billion (2022) to $502 billion over the next four years.

He added that that project would also help in increasing internet penetration in Nigeria to over 70% and reduce the cost of access to the internet by over 60%.