African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has approved a $200 million loan to support Nigeria’s fibre-optic expansion and digital skills development.
Gatekeepers News reports that the funding will drive a nationwide project aimed at strengthening digital infrastructure and creating employment opportunities.
The initiative, known as the Digital Value Chain Infrastructure for Boosting Employment (D-VIBE), will deploy about 90,000 kilometres of fibre-optic cables, increasing Nigeria’s broadband backbone from 30,000 km to 120,000 km.
The project is designed to connect all 774 local government areas, including schools, hospitals, rural communities, and business hubs, to high-speed internet, while also establishing cross-border fibre links with neighbouring countries.
AfDB said the loan forms part of a broader $800 million financing package, with additional support coming from the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, while total project funding is estimated at $2 billion.
The bank noted that the project will be implemented through a public-private partnership structure to attract private investment and address challenges such as high construction and right-of-way costs.
Beyond infrastructure, the initiative will also focus on digital skills training, access to affordable devices, and support for tech-driven platforms. It is expected to create up to 2.8 million jobs and increase Nigeria’s broadband penetration from 45 percent to about 70 percent by 2030.
