The European Union has announced a €22m (£18.4m) grant to help Nigeria expand its digital infrastructure, marking a major milestone in the country’s bid to become a global tech hub.
The funding, delivered through the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), will support the Nigerian government’s “Project BRIDGE”—an ambitious plan to lay 90,000km of fibre-optic cable across the country. The grant is expected to pave the way for an additional €86m loan from the EBRD, representing the bank’s first major “sovereign operation” in Nigeria since the West African nation became a shareholder last year.
Digital ‘Global Gateway’
The move is part of the EU’s “Global Gateway” strategy, a multi-billion-euro initiative designed to rival China’s influence in developing nations by investing in high-quality, sustainable infrastructure.Speaking during a visit to the capital, Abuja, EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso said the project was designed to “catalyse private sector investment” and ensure “resilient and cyber-secure connectivity.”Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Bosun Tijani, welcomed the partnership, stating that 2026 would be a “year of delivery” for the country’s digital agenda.
Cutting costs and training talent
The investment aims to solve some of the logistical bottlenecks that have historically slowed down internet penetration in Africa’s most populous country. Key features of the deal include:Mapping the future: Technical assistance to design the first 40,000km of the network.
Skills boost: Training for 2,000 Nigerian technicians to handle the rollout.
Cost reduction: Subsidies for equipment that are expected to slash rollout costs by up to 30%.
Private partnership: The network will be managed by a “Special Purpose Vehicle” with 51% private sector ownership.
A ‘world reference’ in tech
EU Ambassador Gautier Mignot described Nigeria as “fast becoming a world reference” in the digital sphere. He emphasised that the partnership focuses on “trusted networks” that meet international standards for reliability and integrity.The project also involves cooperation with the World Bank and the African Development Bank, signalling a coordinated international effort to bridge Nigeria’s digital divide. For the millions of Nigerians currently lacking stable high-speed internet, the project promises not just faster downloads, but a foundation for a digital economy that could transform business and public services across the federation.
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