Abuja: The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, has announced a significant development in Nigeria's digital landscape with the introduction of a two-billion-dollar broadband project. This ambitious initiative is poised to considerably enhance the nation's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Dr. Tijani emphasized that this project is a strategic move towards achieving digital inclusion and positioning Nigeria as a leading technology exporter in Africa. Describing the plan as an audacious step forward, he highlighted the potential of fibre-optic broadband and innovation hubs in unlocking Nigeria's digital wealth. The project features a hybrid financing model, with 49 percent government funding and 51 percent from the private sector, aiming for universal broadband coverage across all 774 local governments within three years.
Dr. Tijani underscored the indispensability of connectivity for productivity, citing data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) that shows the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector already contributes approximately 15 percent to Nigeria's GDP, one of the highest in sub-Saharan Africa. However, he noted the current broadband penetration rate is around 50 percent, leaving a substantial portion of the population offline. The minister referenced World Bank data, suggesting that a 10 percent increase in broadband access could boost GDP by two percent annually.
The project, supported by entities such as the World Bank, International Finance Corporation (IFC), and Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), aims to bridge the existing connectivity gap. Dr. Tijani elaborated that the initiative would designate broadband as national critical infrastructure, facilitating private investment and reducing telecom operational costs.
Highlighting the public-private collaboration, he mentioned the IHS Towers innovation hub project, expected to be West Africa's largest. This hub will train thousands of young Nigerians and provide incubation spaces and access to global investors, drawing parallels to tech development models in countries like India and Brazil. Dr. Tijani projected that the project's economic impact would extend beyond the technology sector, with improved rural broadband access potentially adding up to $25 billion annually to Nigeria's agricultural output, assisting in export diversification.
Through the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) Programme, the government plans to train digital workers in fields such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), cloud computing, cybersecurity, and data analytics. Dr. Tijani stressed the importance of national connectivity in building a trillion-dollar economy, praising President Bola Tinubu's administration for policies that reposition broadband as essential economic infrastructure.
IHS Nigeria's CEO, Mr. Mohamad Darwish, reflected on Nigeria's digital landscape, acknowledging rapid growth and emerging technologies alongside persistent challenges. He noted significant advances in e-commerce, agency banking, and mobile payments, with startups exploring AI and other emerging technologies. Initiatives such as 3MTT and innovation hubs are upskilling young Nigerians and fostering vibrant tech ecosystems.
Mr. Darwish, however, pointed out existing infrastructure and skills gaps, including poor rural internet access and power challenges hindering digital inclusion. He emphasized the need for sustained investment in public-private partnerships to bridge these divides and empower more Nigerians to participate in the digital economy. He advocated for coordinated efforts to drive digital adoption, enhance productivity, and promote inclusive growth.
In conclusion, Mr. Darwish stressed that digital infrastructure, innovation, and talent are essential for building a smart economy, asserting that both public and private sectors must leverage these elements for inclusive growth. He highlighted the importance of addressing infrastructure gaps to bolster Nigeria's digital competitiveness and foster sustainable investment, ultimately contributing to a prosperous and inclusive Nigeria by 2030.