Nigeria has secured a fresh US$100 million investment from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to support Project Bridge, a nationwide initiative aimed at expanding broadband connectivity and accelerating digital inclusion across Africa’s most populous nation, authorities said Wednesday.
Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy Bosun Tijani confirmed the financing in a statement, describing the investment as a major boost to Nigeria’s efforts to close connectivity gaps and strengthen digital infrastructure.
Project Bridge, unveiled in August 2025, seeks to deploy approximately 90,000 kilometres of fibre-optic infrastructure across underserved and unserved communities nationwide. The government says the programme will significantly improve access to affordable and reliable high-speed internet while supporting economic diversification and innovation.
The latest funding follows an investment tour across several European countries, during which Nigerian officials engaged development finance institutions and private-sector partners to mobilise resources for the ambitious connectivity drive.
“As we conclude the final leg of our Project Bridge investment engagements in Europe, I am pleased to confirm the formal approval by the Board of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to proceed with a $100 million investment,” Tijani said.
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The financing adds to an earlier $500 million facility approved by the World Bank, bringing total confirmed international funding for the initiative to $600 million.
In addition to the EBRD investment, Nigeria also secured a €22 million ($24 million) grant from the European Union as part of a broader €45 million Digital Economy Package agreed earlier this week. According to the ministry, the package includes €18 million earmarked for digital public services modernization and €5 million dedicated to supporting the government’s Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, which aims to build digital skills among young Nigerians.
Officials say Project Bridge forms a central pillar of Nigeria’s digital transformation strategy, designed to stimulate innovation, expand e-government services and improve access to online education, healthcare and financial services.
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Despite rapid growth in mobile adoption, broadband penetration remains uneven across Nigeria, particularly in rural areas where infrastructure costs and limited private investment have slowed network expansion. Authorities believe expanding fibre connectivity will lower internet costs, improve service quality and attract investment into technology-driven sectors.
Tijani said the project would deliver “meaningful connectivity” nationwide and help unlock economic opportunities for millions of Nigerians currently excluded from the digital economy.
Analysts say improved broadband access could boost productivity across sectors including agriculture, finance, commerce and education, while supporting Nigeria’s growing technology startup ecosystem.
The government has increasingly turned to multilateral lenders and international partners to finance large-scale infrastructure projects amid fiscal constraints and rising development needs. Digital infrastructure investment is viewed as critical to sustaining long-term economic growth and reducing dependence on oil revenues.
Development partners have also emphasized that expanding digital connectivity can enhance regional integration by facilitating cross-border trade, digital payments and participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Nigeria’s push comes as African governments intensify efforts to bridge the continent’s digital divide, with millions still lacking reliable internet access. The success of Project Bridge is expected to play a key role in positioning Nigeria as a regional digital hub and strengthening its competitiveness in the global digital economy.
Authorities say implementation work will accelerate following the latest financing approvals, with deployment expected to begin in priority regions lacking broadband infrastructure.
