The European Union has pledged up to €14m in grants to support Nigeria’s planned rollout of 90,000 kilometres of fibre-optic infrastructure to expand broadband access nationwide.
The funding will support network design, project preparation, technical studies and capacity building as the Federal Government seeks to improve internet connectivity and boost the country’s digital economy.
The agreement was signed in Abuja by representatives of the Federal Government, the European Union and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning after the signing ceremony, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development will administer the grant to support preparations for the nationwide fibre-optic backbone project.
“The initiative, supported by the European Union and administered by the EBRD, provides up to €14m in funding for project scoping, fibre-optic network design, project preparation, and capacity-building activities for Nigeria’s nationwide fibre-optic backbone programme,” the statement read.
The planned infrastructure is expected to expand broadband access, support business activities and improve access to digital services in underserved communities across Nigeria.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, said the partnership would strengthen the country’s digital infrastructure and drive economic development.
He said the initiative would go beyond technical preparations to cover institutional development, knowledge transfer and capacity building.
According to the statement, Bagudu stressed that these components were crucial to effective project implementation, strengthening local expertise and ensuring the long-term sustainability of investments in digital infrastructure.
Bagudu said the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning would coordinate and oversee the project, while the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy would be responsible for its technical implementation.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to international partnerships that promote digital connectivity and inclusive economic growth.
The ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Deborah Odoh, said the agreement marked a significant milestone in advancing Nigeria’s digital infrastructure and building institutional capacity.
According to the statement, Odoh reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transparent coordination, efficient project delivery and sustained cooperation with development partners.
She said the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning would implement the grant agreement on behalf of the Federal Government, while the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy would manage the technical aspects through its project implementation units.
The European Union’s representative in Nigeria, Massimo De Luca, reiterated the bloc’s commitment to supporting the country’s digital transformation through investment and institutional collaboration.
He stressed the need for continued cooperation among the participating institutions to ensure the project is implemented on schedule.
