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The European Union (EU) has committed up to €14 million in grant funding to support preparations for Nigeria’s planned deployment of 90,000 kilometres of fibre-optic infrastructure, as the Federal Government seeks to expand broadband access and strengthen the country’s digital economy.
The funding will cover network design, project preparation, technical studies and capacity building ahead of the proposed nationwide fibre-optic backbone project. The grant is intended to support preparatory work and institutional development rather than finance the full deployment of the network.
The agreement was signed in Abuja by representatives of the Federal Government, the EU and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), which will administer the grant.
EU grant to support fibre-optic network planning
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, the funding will support project scoping, fibre-optic network design, technical preparation and capacity-building activities.
“The initiative, supported by the European Union and administered by the EBRD, provides up to €14m in funding for project scoping, fibre-optic network design, project preparation, and capacity-building activities for Nigeria’s nationwide fibre-optic backbone programme,” the statement said.
The proposed 90,000-kilometre network is expected to improve broadband availability, support business connectivity and extend access to digital services in underserved communities.
By funding the preparatory phase, the EU-backed intervention aims to help establish the technical and institutional foundations required for the wider infrastructure programme.
Federal Government outlines project coordination structure
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning Atiku Bagudu said the partnership would strengthen Nigeria’s digital infrastructure and contribute to economic development.
He explained that the intervention would extend beyond technical planning to include institutional development, knowledge transfer and capacity building.
According to the ministry’s statement, Bagudu said these components were essential for effective project implementation, strengthening national expertise and ensuring the long-term sustainability of investments in digital infrastructure.
The Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning will coordinate and oversee the project, while the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy will supervise its technical implementation.
Bagudu also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to international partnerships aimed at improving digital connectivity and supporting inclusive economic growth.
Ministry highlights institutional capacity and implementation
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning Deborah Odoh described the agreement as an important milestone in strengthening Nigeria’s digital infrastructure and institutional capacity.
Odoh reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transparent coordination, effective implementation and sustained collaboration with development partners.
She said her ministry would execute the grant agreement on behalf of the Federal Government, while the communications ministry would oversee technical delivery through its project implementation units.
The division of responsibilities is intended to provide coordination between the government institutions responsible for managing the funding agreement and those overseeing the project’s technical requirements.
EU reaffirms support for Nigeria’s digital transformation
European Union representative in Nigeria Massimo De Luca reaffirmed the bloc’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s digital transformation through investment and institutional cooperation.
He called for continued engagement among the participating institutions to support timely project implementation.
The partnership reflects the role of international development financing in supporting the planning and institutional capacity required for large-scale digital infrastructure projects.
Broadband expansion targets wider digital access
Nigeria’s planned fibre-optic backbone is intended to expand broadband availability and improve the connectivity needed for businesses, public services and digital platforms.
Reliable broadband infrastructure can support the growth of digital commerce, financial technology, online public services and other technology-enabled economic activities. Extending connectivity to underserved communities is also an important part of efforts to broaden participation in the digital economy.
However, the €14 million EU grant will fund the preparatory activities and capacity building associated with the programme, not the full construction of the planned 90,000-kilometre network.
The agreement therefore marks a funding commitment towards project development, with the broader infrastructure deployment remaining a separate stage of Nigeria’s nationwide broadband expansion plans.
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