Nigerian Mobile Fiber Optic Cable Construction

Nigeria is constructing a 90,000-kilometre national fibre optic network under Project Bridge to expand broadband access and foster competition among internet providers.Overview of Project Bridge

Nigeria's Project Bridge, officially called Building Resilient Digital Infrastructure for Growth, is a $2 billion initiative to deploy 90,000 km of fibre optic cables nationwide, complementing existing infrastructure to create a 125,000 km open-access fibre backbone . The project is designed to break the near-monopoly of major mobile network operators (MNOs) like MTN and Airtel, enabling smaller internet service providers (ISPs) to access infrastructure at competitive rates . It will link all 774 Local Government Area (LGA) headquarters via Points of Presence (PoPs) and establish seven regional backbone rings across Nigeria's six geopolitical zones plus Lagos .

Implementation and Funding

Project Bridge is structured as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) under a public-private partnership (PPP) model . The Nigerian government will hold a minority stake (25–49%), while private sector companies and development finance institutions (DFIs) such as the World Bank and African Development Bank provide the remaining funding . The $2 billion budget is split between sovereign loans and private equity, ensuring both financial sustainability and operational independence . The SPV will be managed as a limited liability company with a professional board and management team experienced in telecommunications .

Local Manufacturing and Supply Chain

To reduce reliance on imported cables and improve deployment efficiency, Nigeria has established local fibre optic cable production through Coleman Technical Industries in Sagamu, Ogun State, Africa's largest fibre factory . This local manufacturing is expected to lower costs, shorten delivery cycles, and create jobs, while supporting national digital infrastructure independence .

Expected Impact

Project Bridge aims to increase internet penetration to over 70%, improve broadband speed and reliability, and provide access to millions of households, businesses, schools, and hospitals, particularly in underserved regions . The initiative is projected to create up to 20,000 direct jobs and over 150,000 indirect jobs, while contributing up to 1.5% GDP growth per capita over four years . Additionally, the government plans to train 5,000 youths through the Digital Bridge Institute to support the digital economy .

Strategic Significance

By fostering infrastructure sharing and competition, Project Bridge is expected to reduce costs for ISPs, accelerate digital inclusion, and position Nigeria as a leader in Africa's broadband landscape, with the third-largest fibre backbone on the continent after Egypt and South Africa . The project also aligns with broader economic reforms and digital transformation goals under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration .