EU Pledges €22 Million to Boost Nigeria’s 90,000km Fibre-Optic Rollout
The European Union has committed €22 million to support Nigeria’s ambitious fibre-optic expansion under the Federal Government’s Project BRIDGE, a move set to enhance digital connectivity nationwide. The grant, announced in Abuja on Wednesday, will be administered through the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and directed to the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy. The funding complements an €86 million loan from the EBRD, awaiting final approval, marking the bank’s first sovereign operation in Nigeria since the country became a shareholder last year.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso described the initiative as a “landmark step” in advancing Nigeria’s digital infrastructure. She highlighted that the collaboration with the EU will catalyse private sector participation while delivering inclusive, resilient, and cyber-secure connectivity across the country. Nigerian Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosu Tijani, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring Project BRIDGE remains on schedule, emphasising that 2026 will focus on tangible delivery.
EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot, underlined that digital infrastructure is now a strategic pillar in Nigeria-EU relations. He noted the importance of trusted and resilient networks operating at international standards, positioning Nigeria as a growing global digital partner. The €22 million grant is designed to complement upcoming sovereign loans from the EBRD, World Bank, and African Development Bank, funding the establishment of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) responsible for rolling out 90,000 kilometres of fibre-optic network nationwide.
The SPV, which will include 51% private sector participation, aims to align with the government’s goal of attracting private investment. The EBRD’s €86 million loan comes with strict conditions on cybersecurity and open-access compliance, ensuring transparency, security, and competitive operation. In addition to financing, the EU grant provides technical assistance, funding low-level design (LLD) for approximately 40,000 kilometres of fibre, including route mapping, surveys, planning, and security risk assessments to create a ready-to-deploy network blueprint.
Beyond infrastructure, the initiative focuses on building Nigeria’s fibre deployment ecosystem. Plans include training 2,000 technicians, subsidizing key equipment, and enabling small subcontractors to access pooled procurement and volume discounts. These measures are expected to reduce rollout costs by 20–30%, strengthen supply chains, and encourage participation from European technology vendors. The partnership underscores the EU’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s digital transformation through infrastructure investment, skills development, and innovative public-private collaboration.
source: Business day