The US Trade and Development Agency said Nigeria’s 90,000-kilometre fibre-optic infrastructure project will connect 12 million people to affordable and reliable internet services, marking a significant milestone in bridging the country’s digital divide.
Speaking on the initiative during the Nigeria Economic Breakfast Meeting organised by Eventhrive recently in Lagos, USTDA’s Country Representative for West Africa, Josh Egba, highlighted the transformative impact of the project.
“This is a critical project that will expand internal connectivity for about 12 million people. It will significantly lower bandwidth costs and extend capacity from Lagos and the southern parts of Nigeria to the north,” Egba stated.
The fibre project is a collaborative effort between the USTDA and Nigeria’s Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy. It is designed to address the country’s digital infrastructure deficit, a major barrier to economic growth and digital transformation.
The US agency recently announced a $2.1m grant to Nigeria to support the project. This initiative, revealed during the inaugural U.S.-Nigeria technology dialogue on January 10, 2025, aims to increase Nigeria’s broadband penetration from 42.27 per cent to 70 per cent.
Egba also underscored the initiative’s broader benefits, noting its potential to boost trade, investment, and overall quality of life.
“This initiative underscores the U.S. government’s commitment to fostering trade and investment and supporting infrastructure development in Nigeria,” he said.
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