The European Union has committed up to €14m in grant funding to support preparations for Nigeria’s planned 90,000-kilometre fibre-optic network, aimed at expanding broadband access and improving digital connectivity across the country.
The grant will fund network design, technical studies, project preparation and capacity building as the Federal Government seeks to strengthen the country’s digital infrastructure and expand access to internet services, particularly in underserved communities.
The agreement was signed in Abuja by representatives of the Federal Government, the EU and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, the EBRD will administer the grant to support preparatory activities for the nationwide fibre-optic backbone project.
The statement said the funding would cover project scoping, fibre-optic network design and institutional capacity building required to prepare for the planned infrastructure deployment.
Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, said the partnership would strengthen Nigeria’s digital infrastructure and support economic development.
He explained that the initiative would also focus on institutional development, knowledge transfer and building local expertise to ensure the long-term sustainability of investments in digital infrastructure.
Bagudu said these components were essential for effective project implementation and strengthening Nigeria’s capacity to manage the proposed network.
The ministry will coordinate and oversee the project, while the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy will supervise its technical implementation through designated project implementation units.
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The ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Deborah Odoh, described the agreement as an important step towards strengthening Nigeria’s digital infrastructure and institutional capacity.
She said the government remained committed to transparent coordination, effective implementation and sustained collaboration with development partners.
The European Union’s representative in Nigeria, Massimo De Luca, reaffirmed the bloc’s commitment to supporting the country’s digital transformation through investment and institutional cooperation.
He called for continued collaboration among the participating institutions to ensure the timely implementation of the project.
The planned 90,000-kilometre fibre-optic backbone is expected to improve broadband availability, support businesses and expand access to digital services across Nigeria.
However, the €14m grant will cover preparatory work and capacity building rather than the actual deployment of the entire network.
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Cecilia Attah is a tech analyst with a degree from Benue State University. She covers tech news and startups at TechRegard with a focus on how technology is transforming Africa and shaping the global landscape.
