The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a $200 million loan to support Nigeria’s Project BRIDGE, a large-scale digital infrastructure initiative aimed at expanding the country’s broadband and fibre-optic backbone.
Project BRIDGE (Building Resilient Digital Infrastructure for Growth) is designed to significantly increase Nigeria’s fibre coverage, extending connectivity across all 774 local government areas. The project is expected to expand the national fibre network from about 30,000 kilometres to over 90,000 kilometres, improving internet access nationwide.
The funding forms part of a broader multi-stakeholder financing structure that includes other development partners such as the World Bank and potentially additional international institutions. The project is structured as a public–private partnership, with the goal of strengthening Nigeria’s digital backbone and improving connectivity in underserved areas.
Officials say the investment will help improve access to digital services in sectors such as education, healthcare, and financial services, while also supporting the growth of Nigeria’s digital economy. Better infrastructure is expected to reduce internet costs and improve reliability for both businesses and consumers.
Conclusion
The $200 million AfDB loan represents a key step in Nigeria’s broader effort to modernize its digital infrastructure. By expanding fibre connectivity nationwide, Project BRIDGE aims to close access gaps and lay the foundation for long-term growth in fintech, digital services, and the wider tech ecosystem.
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