Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, has unveiled a 2 billion dollar national broadband project aimed at transforming the country into Africa’s next global technology hub. Speaking during the “Smart Growth, Digital Leap” plenary hosted by IHS Towers at the 31st Nigerian Economic Summit, Tijani said the project will deliver universal broadband coverage across all 774 local government areas within three years through a hybrid financing model—49 percent government and 51 percent private sector funding.
Supported by the World Bank, IFC, and AFC, the initiative will classify broadband as critical national infrastructure to encourage private investment and reduce operating costs for telecom operators. Tijani noted that a 10 percent rise in broadband access could raise GDP by up to 2 percent annually. The project is expected to expand digital inclusion, boost rural productivity, and add an estimated 25 billion dollars annually to agricultural output. He added that Nigeria’s ICT sector already contributes 15 percent to GDP and, with the new rollout, could anchor nationwide innovation, e-commerce, and digital employment growth.
