Private Capital, Technology Key to Bridging Nigeria’s $100bn Infrastructure Gap — ExpertsIndustry leaders and policymakers have identified private sector investment, digital infrastructure, and policy reforms as critical levers for closing Nigeria’s estimated $100 billion infrastructure deficit.
This consensus emerged at the second edition of the Nigeria–South Africa Economic Diplomacy Roundtable, jointly hosted by the South African High Commission in Nigeria and MTN Nigeria, aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and unlocking new investment opportunities between Nigeria and South Africa.
Private sector seen as indispensable
Speakers at the forum stressed that government funding alone is insufficient to meet Nigeria’s vast infrastructure needs, calling for deeper private sector participation through structured partnerships.
Chairman of the Licensed Mobile Operators of Nigeria, Gbenga Adebayo, noted that without sustained private investment, bridging the infrastructure gap within a reasonable timeframe would remain unrealistic.
Technology reshaping infrastructure delivery
A key session at the roundtable focused on how technology is transforming infrastructure development across Africa—from planning and financing to execution and maintenance.
Representing MTN Nigeria CEO Karl Toriola, Chief Marketing Officer Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka highlighted the role of digital infrastructure in accelerating economic integration.
She noted that MTN has deployed over 135,000 kilometres of fibre across Africa, while its mobile financial service platform continues to power millions of transactions, reinforcing the importance of cross-border investment.
Human capital concerns rise
Beyond funding and technology, stakeholders warned of a growing skills gap driven by the migration of skilled professionals, which could undermine infrastructure sustainability.
Brilliant Tleane cautioned that without adequate investment in technical education and workforce development, Nigeria risks building infrastructure it cannot maintain.
Government pushes policy reforms
On the policy front, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, Aisha Rimi, said efforts are underway to strengthen the investment climate through regulatory reforms, incentives, and improved ease of doing business.
She pointed to initiatives such as the One-Stop Investment Centre, which integrates multiple government agencies to streamline approvals, as well as evolving tax incentives designed to attract and retain investors.
AfCFTA and regional collaboration
Rimi also underscored the importance of leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area to deepen regional integration and unlock cross-border investment flows.
“With global uncertainties, this is the time for stronger South-South cooperation,” she said, adding that private capital can play a faster and more flexible role in driving economic alignment across African markets.
The road ahead
Participants agreed that closing Nigeria’s infrastructure gap will require a coordinated approach—aligning private capital, technological innovation, policy consistency, and human capital development.
As pressure mounts on public finances, the spotlight is increasingly shifting to partnerships and innovation as the foundation for sustainable infrastructure growth in Nigeria and across the continent.
