Katsina State Targets 70% Broadband Penetration and 2,000km Fibre Network by 2030
The Katsina State Government has unveiled an ambitious digital transformation plan aimed at achieving 70% broadband penetration and deploying 2,000 kilometres of fibre optic network by 2030. The initiative underscores the state’s commitment to driving inclusive digital development, transparency, and technological innovation.
Governor Dikko Umaru Radda (PhD., CON) announced the plan via his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, following his participation at the Business Roundtable on Improving Investment in Broadband Connectivity and Safeguarding Critical Digital Infrastructure held in Abuja.
“Our vision is to achieve 70% broadband penetration and lay at least 2,000km of fiber optic network across Katsina by 2030, ensuring that both rural and urban communities are fully connected,” Governor Radda said.
He emphasised that broadband access is critical for modern governance, education, healthcare, and economic growth.
“Broadband is no longer a luxury; it’s a lifeline of modern governance, security, education, healthcare, and economic growth,” he added.
Katsina’s Digital Reforms and Governance Transformation
Governor Radda highlighted a number of ICT-led reforms implemented by his administration to enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency in governance.
Key initiatives include:
- Establishment of a Directorate of ICT to coordinate technology-driven reforms.
- Waiver of Right-of-Way (RoW) charges to attract private investment in broadband infrastructure.
- Introduction of e-Government systems, such as:
- Treasury Single Account (TSA)
- Digital land administration
- ICT-based public service delivery
According to Radda, these reforms are designed to create a favourable environment for private sector participation, enabling faster and more efficient broadband deployment.
“Since inception, our administration has taken bold steps, from establishing a dedicated Directorate of ICT to waiving Right-of-Way charges and implementing digital governance systems that promote accountability and efficiency,” he said.
$8 Million World Bank Credit for ICT-Driven Reforms
Governor Radda also announced that Katsina State has been awarded an $8 million credit facility under the World Bank-supported State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) Programme.
The credit recognises the state’s success in implementing ICT-driven reforms and improving the ease of doing business.
“Katsina State has been awarded an $8m credit under the World Bank–supported SABER Programme in recognition of our ICT-led reforms and business-enabling environment,” he said.
He added that the funding reflects investor confidence in the state’s governance model and its commitment to building a transparent, technology-driven economy.
“This achievement reflects our seriousness about digital governance, investor confidence, and transparency,” Radda noted.
Positioning Katsina as a Northern Digital Hub
Governor Radda reiterated that Katsina’s digital progress is positioning the state as a regional leader in innovation and technology adoption.
“With these milestones, Katsina is positioning itself as a leading hub for digital growth and innovation in Northern Nigeria,” he said, emphasizing collaboration with federal agencies and development partners as key to achieving the state’s broadband goals.
The state’s commitment aligns with Nigeria’s national broadband expansion agenda, led by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy under Dr. Bosun Tijani, which recently announced a $2 billion broadband infrastructure project aimed at expanding connectivity nationwide.
Katsina’s Growing Digital Landscape
Katsina has recorded impressive progress in internet connectivity and mobile broadband adoption in recent years.
- The state ranks among Nigeria’s top 10 states with the highest number of internet users, with over 4.6 million active users.
- Between 2019 and 2020, Katsina experienced a 41.46% surge in mobile internet subscribers, the fastest in the country, growing from 2.6 million to 3.68 million users.
This rapid growth reflects increasing digital awareness and the expansion of telecom infrastructure beyond urban centers into rural communities.
Driving Inclusive Digital Transformation
Katsina State’s 2030 broadband vision represents a bold step toward digital inclusion, aiming to ensure that every citizen — regardless of location, has access to affordable, high-speed internet.
By combining strategic investments, regulatory reforms, and public-private partnerships, the state is laying the foundation for a modern, technology-driven economy capable of supporting education, innovation, and sustainable development.
