Experts in the digital economy have highlighted the severe underinvestment in digital infrastructure across Africa, noting that the continent currently accounts for a mere 0.02% of global fiber infrastructure deployment,
This was disclosed in a statement at the Hyperscalers Convergence Africa conference in Lagos on Wednesday, according to Nairametrics.
The continent currently accounts for a mere 0.02% of global fiber infrastructure deployment, with a total fiber network extending just over one million kilometers.
The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani noted that Nigeria alone has approximately 35,000 kilometers of fiber.
This disparity underscores the urgent need for increased investment to enhance Africa’s digital connectivity and infrastructure development.
To bridge the connectivity gap in the country, the government is now seeking funding to build an additional 90,000km of fibre.
In his remarks, the convener, Mr Temitope Osunrinde, said Nigeria and Africa as a whole have been lagging in the digital economy because of the current state of its digital infrastructure.
Osunrinde pointed out that this low level of digital infrastructure contrasts sharply with Africa’s growing population.
“For fiber connectivity, we have 0.02% of the world’s infrastructure, yet we have 18% of the world’s population,” he said.
He noted that in Nigeria, most of the deployed infrastructure is concentrated in cities like Lagos, Abuja, and Port-Harcourt.
This focus on urban areas leaves millions in rural regions excluded from the digital economy.
To address these challenges, conference participants discussed potential solutions, including collaborative partnerships between governments, private sector companies, and international organizations.
They also emphasized the need for policy frameworks that encourage competition, innovation, and affordability to broaden access and improve digital connectivity across the continent.
The Regional Executive for West Africa at Africa Data Centres, Dr. Krishnan Ranganath emphasized the need for unity among ICT industry stakeholders. He urged all players to “put aside our egos and work together” to tackle the common challenges facing Africa’s digital sector.
