• Nigeria secured a $500 million World Bank loan for the BRIDGE digital backbone project.

• The $1.6 billion plan will extend the national fiber network from 35,000 km to 125,000 km.

• Broadband penetration dropped to 48% in July 2025, underlining the urgency of the project.

The World Bank on Tuesday, September 30, approved a $500 million financing package for Nigeria under the BRIDGE project (Building Resilient Digital Infrastructure for Growth). Led by the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, the program aims to address structural gaps that limit broadband access in underserved areas.

With a total cost of $1.6 billion, the project will be largely supported by $1.1 billion in private investment, with additional backing from the African Development Bank, the European Investment Bank, and the Islamic Development Bank. It includes the rollout of about 90,000 km of climate-resilient fiber optic cable, powered where necessary by renewable energy solutions. The implementation plan features seven national rings, 37 metropolitan loops, 77 regional networks, and several edge data centers.

The government’s target is to expand the national backbone from its current 35,000 km to more than 125,000 km, covering 70% of the population in the near term. “Over the past two years, we have worked tirelessly on what is arguably the most ambitious and fundamental digital infrastructure project in Nigeria’s history,” said Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy Bosun Tijani in August, during the technical design presentation of BRIDGE.

The move comes as Nigeria faces a slowdown in broadband growth. According to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), combined fixed and mobile internet penetration fell to 48.01% in July 2025, down from 48.81% in May. Total connections also declined, from 105.7 million in June to about 104 million in July, highlighting the urgency of expanding the country’s digital infrastructure.

By strengthening Nigeria’s digital backbone, the BRIDGE project is expected to support more inclusive economic growth, enhance delivery of digital public services in health, education, and governance, and boost the fintech and startup ecosystem.