Nigeria’s Digital Value Chain Gets Boost as AfDB Approves $200 Million Financing for Nationwide Fibre Expansion By Raymond Enoch
The African Development Bank (AfDB) Group has approved a $200 million sovereign loan to Nigeria to accelerate the country’s digital transformation agenda through a major expansion of its national fibre-optic backbone under the Digital Value Chain Infrastructure for Boosting Employment (D-VIBE) project, also known as Project BRIDGE.
The approval marks a significant milestone in efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s digital infrastructure, expand broadband access, and deepen participation in the global digital economy.
According to details from the AfDB, the $200 million facility forms part of a larger $800 million sovereign financing package designed to scale up Nigeria’s fibre-optic backbone from about 30,000 kilometres to approximately 120,000 kilometres. The expansion is expected to make high-speed internet more accessible across the country and significantly improve digital connectivity in underserved and rural areas.
The project will extend broadband infrastructure to all 774 local government areas in Nigeria, connecting schools, healthcare centres, government institutions, and business hubs to reliable internet services. It is also expected to strengthen regional digital integration by linking Nigeria’s fibre network with neighbouring West African countries.
AfDB explained that the initiative is structured as a public-private partnership, with the total project cost estimated at around $2 billion. Alongside the AfDB’s $200 million commitment, additional financing includes $500 million from the World Bank, $100 million from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), a €22 million grant from the European Union, as well as contributions from other development partners and private sector investors.
Beyond infrastructure development, the project is expected to deliver significant socio-economic impact. It is projected to generate up to 2.8 million jobs across construction, technology, and digital services value chains, while also expanding broadband penetration in Nigeria from about 45 percent to 70 percent by 2030.
The initiative is also designed to support digital skills development, foster innovation, and strengthen Nigeria’s cybersecurity and digital governance frameworks. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are expected to benefit significantly through improved internet access, reduced operational barriers, and expanded access to regional and global markets.
AfDB officials described the project as a transformative investment that will help unlock Nigeria’s digital economy potential, enhance productivity across sectors, and position the country as a leading digital hub in Africa.
With this latest approval, Nigeria moves a step closer to bridging its digital divide and building a more inclusive, connected, and innovation-driven economy.
