The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a $200 million loan to support Nigeria’s ambitious nationwide broadband expansion project known as Project Bridge.
The funding forms part of a broader $800 million financing package aimed at building critical digital infrastructure and expanding internet connectivity across the country.
According to the bank, the initiative seeks to deploy about 90,000 kilometres of open access fibre cables, increasing Nigeria’s national fibre backbone from roughly 30,000 kilometres to about 120,000 kilometres.
The project is expected to connect all 774 local government areas and improve digital access for schools, hospitals, rural communities and businesses.
Director General of AfDB’s Nigeria Office, Abdul Kamara, said the investment could help unlock Nigeria’s economic potential by providing the infrastructure needed for digital growth.
However, analysts note that while international lenders continue to finance infrastructure projects in Nigeria, concerns remain about implementation efficiency and transparency in the use of such funds.
Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda has repeatedly been slowed by infrastructure gaps, regulatory bottlenecks and uneven connectivity between urban and rural areas.
If properly executed, the project could significantly improve broadband access and support job creation in the country’s growing digital economy.
