Nigeria launches national broadband alliance to enhance digital connectivity

Nigeria has officially launched the National Broadband Alliance for Nigeria (NBAN), a key initiative aimed at advancing the country’s digital infrastructure and boosting broadband adoption.

The announcement was made by Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, who underscored the government’s commitment to establishing Nigeria as a leader in the global digital economy.

Tijani highlighted the strategic importance of improving broadband infrastructure as a fundamental element of economic development. “Enhancing our connectivity infrastructure is a crucial part of our plans as a government to accelerate our collective prosperity,” he stated on his X platform.

Addressing Broadband Challenges

Nigeria’s digital economy has faced obstacles due to low data consumption, which has resulted in poor returns on investment (ROI) for nationwide fibre networks. The NBAN aims to tackle these issues by fostering collaboration among telecom sector stakeholders, promoting broadband development, and driving increased adoption across the country.

The alliance will work to bridge the gap between broadband supply and demand. While the government is focused on improving both the quality and quantity of broadband services, the NBAN will develop strategies to stimulate demand, ensuring that infrastructure investments deliver substantial economic benefits.

Strategic Vision for Digital Transformation

Tijani emphasized that the NBAN is a crucial element of Nigeria’s strategy to lead in the global digital landscape. The initiative is expected to drive the country’s digital transformation by providing more Nigerians with access to high-speed internet and facilitating broader participation in the digital economy.

He announced that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the creation of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to raise $2 billion for expanding Nigeria’s fibre optic network.

This investment will extend the nation’s fibre infrastructure by 90,000 kilometres, increasing the total to 125,000 kilometres, to connect at least 50% of the 33 million Nigerians currently without internet access.

Collaborating with Development Institutions

The Minister revealed that he has been working with development institutions to strategize on securing the necessary funds for fibre optic expansion. This effort aims to boost internet penetration in Nigeria to over 70% and reduce the cost of access by more than 60%.

Currently, Nigeria’s broadband penetration stands at 43.53%, with significant gaps in fibre network access.

The new National Broadband Plan aims to achieve 70% penetration by 2025, working to close the digital divide. This initiative supports Nigeria’s broader objectives of fostering innovation, creating jobs, and driving economic growth through digital technologies.

Nigeria’s Digital Economy Push

Under the current administration, Nigeria has made significant progress in its digital economy. The launch of the NBAN follows other important initiatives, such as the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) and the National Broadband Plan (NBP) 2020-2025.

These policies reflect the government’s commitment to transforming Nigeria into a leading digital economy by enhancing connectivity, supporting innovation, and expanding digital access to underserved areas.

As the NBAN begins its work, attention will be focused on the telecoms sector and other stakeholders to see how this collaboration will shape Nigeria’s digital landscape, particularly in terms of increased broadband adoption and improved ROI for infrastructure investments.