European Union. Photo: EU
The European Union has committed up to €14m in grant funding to support Nigeria’s planned deployment of 90,000 kilometres of fibre-optic infrastructure aimed at expanding broadband access across the country.
The funding will cover network design, project preparation, technical studies and capacity building as the Federal Government seeks to improve internet connectivity and strengthen 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 on Wednesday issued after the signing ceremony by the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, the grant will be administered by the EBRD 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 proposed infrastructure is expected to improve broadband availability, support businesses and expand access to digital services across underserved communities.
Speaking at the ceremony, the 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 intervention would extend beyond technical preparations to include institutional development, knowledge transfer and capacity building.
According to the statement, Bagudu emphasised that “these components are essential for effective project implementation, for strengthening national expertise and for promoting the long-term sustainability of investments in digital infrastructure.”
The minister 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 supervise its technical implementation.
He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to international partnerships aimed at improving digital connectivity and promoting inclusive economic growth.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Deborah Odoh, described the agreement as an important milestone in strengthening Nigeria’s digital infrastructure and institutional capacity.
The statement said Odoh “reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transparent coordination, effective implementation, and sustained collaboration with development partners.”
She explained that her ministry would execute the grant agreement on behalf of the Federal Government, while the communications ministry would oversee technical implementation through its project implementation units.
Also speaking, the European Union representative in Nigeria, Massimo De Luca, reaffirmed the bloc’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s digital transformation through investment and institutional cooperation.
He called for sustained engagement among participating institutions to ensure the timely implementation of the project.
The €14m grant is intended to finance preparatory activities and capacity building rather than the actual deployment of the entire 90,000-kilometre fibre-optic network.