Project BRIDGE
Building Resilient Digital Infrastructure for Growth: at least 90,000 km of fibre optic cable as Nigeria's national backbone, delivered through a public-private partnership.
What it is
A special purpose vehicle, owned jointly by government and private investors, will lay at least 90,000 km of fibre optic cable as the core connectivity infrastructure for universal access to ICT across Nigeria. It completes the national target of 120,000 km set in the National Broadband Plan 2020 to 2025.
The total cost is estimated at $2 billion, funded by sovereign loans from development finance institutions, including the World Bank and the African Development Bank, and equity from private companies. The Nigerian government will hold between 25% and 49%. The vehicle is run independently as a limited liability company with a board and management drawn from telecommunications and related industries.
Expected outcomes
- Connectivity and access
- Faster, more reliable internet across the country, penetration above 70%, and access for millions of households, businesses, schools and hospitals, especially in underserved regions.
- Economic development
- Up to 20,000 direct and 150,000 indirect jobs, and up to 1.5% growth in GDP per person, taking GDP from about $472.6 billion to about $502 billion in four years.
- Skills
- 5,000 young Nigerians trained through the Digital Bridge Institute, to roll out the network and maintain it afterwards.
- Local manufacturing
- International fibre manufacturers are working with Nigerian cable companies, so that cables and components are made here and exported to West Africa.
Progress
- The Federal Executive Council has approved the special purpose vehicle, as a public-private partnership, to own and deliver the project.
- Eleven development finance institutions have shown interest, including AfDB, AFC, AFD, DFC, the EU, IFC, EIB, IsDB, the World Bank Group, BII and EBRD. $845 million in funding commitments is secured from the World Bank Group, AfDB, AFC and the EU. Talks with the others continue.
- Preliminary technical, commercial and regulatory studies have begun.
- A dedicated project team of professionals from the private and public sectors oversees the preparatory work.
- The National Broadband Alliance for Nigeria brings government, private companies and civil society together to use broadband for development.
- A public consultation with the private sector drew 30 companies formally registering to invest.
- An environmental and social management plan is being prepared.
Notices
- Preparation of low-level designs for the rollout of 40,000 km of fibre optic networks
- General procurement notice: Nigeria Sovereign Fibre (BRIDGE) Project
Committed partners
| Partner | Commitment |
|---|---|
| World Bank | $500 million |
| African Development Bank | $200 million |
| European Bank for Reconstruction and Development | $100 million |
What it means for everyday Nigerians
About 216,871 schools, tertiary institutions, health centres and social institutions cannot get online reliably or use the internet for their work. With policies for digital inclusion, a growing startup scene and more smartphones every year, demand for infrastructure has never been higher.
- Connected primary, secondary and tertiary schools, which improves what students learn and builds digital literacy from an early age.
- Connected hospitals and clinics, with real-time data, more accurate diagnosis and faster service.
Questions
What is Project BRIDGE?
A project to lay a 90,000 km national fibre backbone and expand Nigeria's digital infrastructure.
What is the goal?
More than 33 million Nigerians are still offline. The project is for inclusion, access to education and financial services, growth, jobs, digital literacy, opportunities for young Nigerians and national security.
Why 90,000 km?
It is the amount left to reach the 120,000 km target in the National Broadband Plan 2020 to 2025 .
What is the timeline?
Rollout runs over five years, starting with 30,000 km in the first year. The special purpose vehicle was to be incorporated in the third quarter of 2025 to lead delivery. Phase timelines and milestones are published here as they are settled.
How is it funded?
Sovereign loans from development finance institutions, including the World Bank Group and the African Development Bank, plus equity from private companies.
How can I get involved?
Vendor opportunities and public engagement forums are announced on this website. Check back regularly.
Who can I contact?
Email projectbridge@fmcide.gov.ng.
Complaints about the project
The project's grievance mechanism is a simple, safe way for communities, people affected by the works, workers and other stakeholders to raise a complaint or concern. Every complaint is received, recorded, assessed and answered fairly within the published timelines, in confidence where needed.
It is for project-related complaints only, not general enquiries.
Or email projectbridge.complaints@gmail.com.