The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, has signed a $10 million Memorandum of Understanding with the West Indian Ocean Cable Company.
The agreement aims to connect approximately three million Nigerian homes to a hyperscale open-access digital platform for internet service providers using advanced fibre and colocation facilities.
The MoU was signed on Wednesday in Abuja at an event between the WIOCC Group and FMCIDE.
At the event, it was revealed that WIOCC Group will invest in Nigeria’s digital infrastructure by deploying fibre and colocation facilities to enhance broadband quality and accessibility.
The company also intends to collaborate with ISPs to connect additional homes and businesses.
The partnership will see WIOCC offering digital infrastructure training and supporting job creation for Nigerian youth.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, said the development is timely given the recent hike in telecommunications service tariffs, which he described as a “very difficult decision for the government.”
He emphasized that the Federal Government recognizes the crucial role of internet connectivity in societal development, stating that achieving President Bola Tinubu’s vision of a $1 trillion economy will require a strong and reliable connectivity infrastructure.
“Our intention is not to create a situation where the cost of providing these interconnectivity services continues to rise. There are more than one way to achieve meaningful connectivity,” he said.
Tijani emphasized the need to diversify connectivity options beyond mobile networks, stating, “You cannot limit people to just their mobile. We have to ensure that we encourage investment in different parts of the value chain or supply chain to get connectivity to people. One of those areas that Nigerians have not truly benefited from is fibre to the home.”
He expressed optimism that the connectivity landscape would expand to include fibre to offices, government institutions, schools, and hospitals, calling the partnership a key step toward realizing these objectives.
While acknowledging that the MoU is not an exclusive agreement with WIOCC, Dr. Tijani stated that the Federal Government would collaborate with sub-national governments to ensure the delivery of innovative interconnectivity services to Nigerians.
“This collaboration with WIOCC Group represents a significant step forward in our commitment to ensuring that Nigerians have access to reliable and high-quality telecommunications services.
“We are committed to building a resilient digital infrastructure that fosters innovation, inclusion, and economic growth. Working with the private sector to deliver last-mile connectivity to homes and businesses, amongst other key benefits, is essential to achieving this vision, and we are excited about the opportunities this collaboration creates for empowering communities across Nigeria,” he stated.
Commenting on the partnership, WIOCC Group’s Chief Business Development Officer, Darren Bedford, stated that the MoU highlights the company’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s digital transformation.
“We’ve set an initial target of three million homes. Currently, we are making an initial investment of $10 million. This will grow over time as we raise and invest more capital into Nigeria,” he said.
