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Nigeria is taking a significant step toward strengthening its digital infrastructure with Project BRIDGE, an ambitious national initiative designed to expand broadband connectivity through the deployment of at least 90,000 kilometres of climate-resilient fibre optic infrastructure by 2030.
The Federal Government is expected to complete the incorporation of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) that will oversee the implementation of the project, establishing the legal framework for one of the country’s largest digital infrastructure investments.
According to officials at the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, the incorporation represents the formal establishment of the project company and not the commencement of commercial operations or public launch activities.
Project documents currently refer to the entity as the Project Company, Project BRIDGE SPV, or simply the SPV, while its official legal name is yet to be publicly disclosed.
SPV to coordinate nationwide fibre rollout
Once incorporated, the SPV will be responsible for attracting private investment, coordinating project execution across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, and overseeing the deployment of the nationwide fibre backbone before September 2030.
Beyond infrastructure deployment, the project company will manage investor engagement, engineering design, route surveys, right-of-way negotiations, regulatory approvals and construction activities required for successful implementation.
Large-scale physical deployment is expected to commence in 2027 after the completion of financial close, contractor selection and engineering preparations.
Upon completion, Project BRIDGE is expected to increase Nigeria’s national fibre backbone to approximately 120,000 kilometres, extend broadband infrastructure to more than 770 local government areas, and provide high-speed connectivity to thousands of schools, hospitals and other public institutions.
Open-access model to drive digital transformation
Unlike a conventional telecommunications operator, Project BRIDGE is structured as an open-access wholesale infrastructure platform.
The network will provide shared fibre infrastructure that mobile network operators, internet service providers and enterprise customers can access on transparent and non-discriminatory terms.
The wholesale model is designed to eliminate unnecessary duplication of fibre infrastructure while reducing deployment costs and enabling multiple operators to expand broadband services using a common national backbone.
Industry stakeholders believe the approach could significantly improve broadband affordability, expand digital inclusion and accelerate Nigeria’s digital economy by lowering barriers to infrastructure access.
$1.6bn financing package supports project implementation
Funding for Project BRIDGE combines development finance and private sector investment.
The World Bank is providing $500 million through the International Development Association (IDA), while approximately $1.1 billion is expected to come from private investors and commercial financing.
Additional funding commitments include $200 million from the African Development Bank (AfDB), $100 million from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and another $100 million from the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA).
According to project officials, the financing structure remains subject to detailed financial modelling by transaction advisers.
They noted that while earlier estimates placed the project cost at approximately $2 billion, the $1.6 billion financing envelope represents the formally approved amount under the World Bank appraisal.
With incorporation of the SPV, the government is expected to move toward final investment agreements, contractor appointments and construction contracts.
Project documents indicate that more than 30 local and international companies have already expressed interest during the market-sounding and prequalification stages.
Private investors to hold majority ownership
The proposed ownership structure gives majority control of the SPV to private investors, who are expected to own between 51 and 75 per cent of the company.
The Federal Government will retain a minority equity stake ranging from 25 to 49 per cent.
An independent board and professional private-sector management structure are expected to provide operational flexibility while strengthening corporate governance and reducing political interference.
The structure is intended to support efficient project delivery and attract long-term institutional investment into Nigeria’s digital infrastructure.
Aggressive rollout timeline
Project BRIDGE is expected to follow an ambitious construction schedule.
Implementation plans call for approximately 17,500 kilometres of fibre deployment during the first year of construction, followed by 25,000 kilometres annually in both 2028 and 2029.
The remaining 22,500 kilometres are expected to be completed during the first nine months of 2030.
At peak execution, contractors will be required to install between 80 and 90 kilometres of fibre every day.
To accelerate implementation, the country will be divided into six Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) zones, allowing multiple contractors to undertake deployment simultaneously.
Beyond laying fibre, the project also includes the establishment of wholesale interconnection hubs, redundant fibre routes to improve network resilience, and expanded connectivity for public institutions and underserved communities.
Government projections indicate that the initiative could increase broadband users from approximately 92 million to 150 million by 2030, reduce wholesale bandwidth costs by 17 per cent, improve average fixed broadband speeds to 50 Mbps, and connect more than 59,000 public institutions to high-speed internet services.
The programme also incorporates digital literacy initiatives targeting 37,000 Nigerians, with women expected to account for approximately 60 per cent of participants.
Infrastructure challenges remain
Despite its transformative potential, Project BRIDGE faces several implementation risks.
The World Bank has classified the programme’s overall risk as substantial, citing governance, procurement, institutional capacity, inflation and foreign exchange volatility as key concerns.
Right-of-way approvals also remain a critical challenge.
Although more than 11 states have waived right-of-way charges to support broadband expansion, inconsistent regulatory processes and administrative delays at subnational levels could affect construction timelines.
Protecting the completed infrastructure presents another significant challenge.
Nigeria’s telecommunications industry recorded 155,397 fibre cuts during April and May 2026 alone, with more than 54,000 incidents attributed to vandalism.
The figures highlight the importance of safeguarding critical communications infrastructure as the national fibre network expands.
While the Federal Government’s Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) Order, introduced in June 2024, provides a regulatory framework for protecting strategic digital assets, effective enforcement will be essential to securing thousands of kilometres of new fibre infrastructure.
If successfully delivered, Project BRIDGE could significantly strengthen Nigeria’s digital economy by expanding broadband access, reducing infrastructure costs, supporting financial inclusion and enabling greater adoption of digital services across underserved communities.
The project also represents a major opportunity to enhance digital infrastructure resilience, improve connectivity for businesses and public institutions, and support long-term innovation within Nigeria’s rapidly evolving technology ecosystem.
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