Nigeria has received $100 million (N135.4 billion) from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and €22 million (N35.2 billion) from the European Union (EU) to boost Project BRIDGE, the Federal Government’s fibre-optic expansion programme.

The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, disclosed this via his X account at the conclusion of the Project BRIDGE Investment Tour in Europe.

The new commitments added to the $500 million financing earlier approved by the World Bank Group for the project.

The minister said the Board of the EBRD had formally approved the $100 million investment to support the deployment of fibre infrastructure across Nigeria.

“As we conclude the final leg of our Project BRIDGE Investment Tour in Europe this week, following several extremely positive engagements, I am pleased to confirm the formal approval by the Board of the EBRD to proceed with a $100 million investment in Project BRIDGE.

“Earlier this week, we also announced the signing of the EU Digital Economy Package of €45 million, which includes a € 22 million grant towards Project BRIDGE as well as €18 million for Digital Public Services and €5 million to support our 3MTT Nigeria Programme,” he stated.

Tijani said the approvals are deeply reassuring as “we reflect on the hard work and the air miles, across six countries in two weeks to secure the partnerships required to deploy 90,000km of fibre across Nigeria, delivering meaningful connectivity to all Nigerians.”

Project BRIDGE, formally known as Building Resilient Digital Infrastructure for Growth, is the Federal Government’s ambitious plan to expand broadband infrastructure nationwide by deploying 90,000 kilometres of fibre-optic cables across Nigeria.

Launched under the leadership of the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, the project is to be implemented through a Special Purpose Vehicle that invites private investment and encourages public-private partnerships, with the government seeking to attract global financiers and technology partners.

While the World Bank is providing concessional financing of $500 million, the project will roll out a nationwide fibre network managed through a Special Purpose Vehicle that is majority privately owned and operated, with the Federal Government retaining a minority stake.

This innovative model is designed to attract large-scale private investment while connecting millions of households, 38,800 public schools, 16,900 health facilities and 3,400 LGA offices.

By establishing a modern backbone of national and regional fibre networks, BRIDGE will deploy over 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic cable, extending the national backbone from 35,000 to 125,000 kilometres, which will bring reliable connectivity to all corners of the country and enable Nigeria to fully harness the opportunities of the digital economy.