Business Metrics Limited has announced the launch of the Rural Connectivity Summit (RuralConnect Summit), a pioneering seven-year initiative designed to tackle Nigeria’s persistent digital divide and unlock the economic potential of rural communities.
The maiden edition of the Summit is scheduled for October 22, 2025, in Lagos, under the theme: “Rethinking Digital Connectivity to Unlock Rural Economic Potentials.”
The Rural Connect Summit seeks to address the stark reality that, while cities such as Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt enjoy advanced internet infrastructure, over 70 per cent of Nigeria’s rural population remains digitally excluded.
Official estimates reveal that more than 20 million Nigerians currently lack any form of access to modern connectivity—a figure larger than the population of many African countries.
Organisers of the Summit explained that this situation not only reflects a serious access gap but also highlights a significant untapped opportunity for innovation, market growth and inclusive development.
Over the course of the day, the Summit will gather telecommunications operators, government regulators, policy makers, technology firms, financial institutions, donor agencies, civil society groups, community leaders and grassroots representatives.
Together, these stakeholders will explore action points and practical solutions for extending digital access to rural Nigeria and reducing the digital divide.
Dialogue at the Summit is anchored on key pillars such as unconventional infrastructure rollout, policy reforms, innovative financing models, digital literacy programmes, collaborations and use cases in agricultural technology integration and enhanced access to healthcare and education.
Convener and Partnership Coordinator for RuralConnect Summit, Omobayo Azeez, explained: “Digital transformation cannot be said to be successful if millions of Nigerians in rural areas remain cut off. The Rural Connectivity Summit is not just another conference – it is a movement to bridge the divide, create opportunities, and ensure that connectivity becomes a catalyst for national growth. We are setting a seven-year agenda that will continue to drive practical solutions until no community is left behind.”
