Nigeria has secured a fresh $100 million investment from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to accelerate its nationwide broadband expansion under Project BRIDGE.
The development was disclosed by the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, who described the approval as a major milestone in the federal government’s push to attract global investment into Nigeria’s digital infrastructure.
According to the minister, the funding forms part of a broader international financing effort aimed at supporting Project BRIDGE—a special purpose vehicle designed to fast-track the deployment of fibre-optic infrastructure across the country.
The EBRD investment follows a two-week European investment roadshow across six countries, where Nigerian officials engaged with strategic partners to mobilise capital and technical expertise for the project.
The latest commitment adds to the $500 million already secured from the World Bank Group, further strengthening the funding base for the initiative. In addition, the European Union has pledged €22 million as part of a broader €45 million digital economy support package for Nigeria.
A breakdown of the EU package shows €18 million will be used to enhance digital public infrastructure, while €5 million is earmarked for the government’s 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, aimed at building a robust digital workforce.
Launched on August 5, 2025, Project BRIDGE targets the deployment of 90,000 kilometres of fibre-optic cable nationwide, with a strong focus on attracting private sector participation and expertise.
The initiative is expected to significantly improve connectivity, with projections to increase internet penetration by 70 percent and extend access to up to 80 percent of underserved communities by 2027.
The latest funding round signals growing international confidence in Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda, as the country moves to close its broadband infrastructure gap and position itself as a leading digital economy in Africa.
