• EBRD to invest $100 million in Nigeria fibre project

• BRIDGE plans 90,000 km expansion, targets 70% penetration

• World Bank approved $500 million for programme

Nigeria will receive a $100 million investment from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to support a major fibre-optic expansion programme under the Building Resilient Digital Infrastructure for Growth (BRIDGE) project.

Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, announced the funding on Wednesday via his X account. He said the commitment followed a two-week investment tour across six countries aimed at securing strategic partnerships. The announcement comes after the World Bank approved $500 million for the same project.

PROJECT BRIDGE RECEIVES $100 MILLION INVESTMENT FROM EBRD AND € 22 MILLION FROM EUROPEAN UNION

As we conclude the final leg of our Project BRIDGE Investment Tour in Europe this week, following several extremely positive engagements, I am pleased to confirm the formal approval… pic.twitter.com/35ND1QI5MJ

— Dr. 'Bosun Tijani (@bosuntijani) February 25, 2026

Launched in March 2025, the BRIDGE project seeks to narrow Nigeria’s digital divide by expanding access to affordable broadband in underserved and unserved areas. The plan includes deploying more than 90,000 kilometres of fibre-optic cable, expanding the national network from 35,000 km to 125,000 km.

The initiative has an estimated total cost of $2 billion. It will be financed through a mix of public funding, private investment and support from the African Development Bank (AfDB), the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB).

The government aims to significantly improve internet speed and reliability and raise internet penetration to over 70%, extending access to millions of households, businesses, schools and hospitals.

Authorities estimate the project will create 20,000 direct jobs and more than 150,000 indirect jobs, supporting growth in Nigeria’s digital economy.

Officials project the programme could increase GDP per capita by about 1.5% over four years. Based on current GDP levels of roughly $472.6 billion, that would translate into an additional $7-8 billion in economic output, assuming stable population growth.

In addition to the EBRD investment, Tijani said the European Union plans to provide €45 million ($53 million) for Nigeria’s digital economy. The package includes €22 million for the BRIDGE project, €18 million for digital public services and €5 million for the 3MTT Nigeria programme.

Lydie Mobio