The Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy has officially launched the National Broadband Alliance for Nigeria (NBAN), a transformative initiative aimed at reshaping the country’s digital landscape. The event brought together industry stakeholders, policymakers, and technology leaders to discuss the roadmap for achieving Nigeria’s ambitious broadband penetration target.
Wole Abu, Managing Director of Equinix West Africa, described the launch as a landmark moment in Nigeria’s digital evolution. He highlighted that broadband penetration currently stands at 42% as of October 2024, but the goal is to push this figure to 70%. The initiative aims to provide urban areas with internet speeds of 25Mbps and rural communities with 10Mbps, backed by a projected 300-500% increase in broadband investment.
One of the key announcements at the event was the approval of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to oversee the deployment of 90,000km of fiber infrastructure across the country. This development underscores the government’s commitment to action, focusing not just on expanding connectivity but also on making broadband infrastructure more accessible and efficiently utilized. In the past, underutilized infrastructure has hindered return on investment, and the initiative seeks to break this cycle by optimizing existing resources.
The success of pilot projects in Edo and Ogun States, pioneered by MainOne, was highlighted as a model for broadband expansion. Additionally, NIGCOMSAT’s Project 774, led by Managing Director Jane Egerton-Idehen, will ensure that all local government secretariats in Nigeria receive connectivity within the next three years. These developments point to a broader vision of using broadband as a tool for national development.
Investment in Nigeria’s digital economy continues to grow, with MainOne’s contributions to Lagos’ Yaba Silicon Valley already fostering multiple unicorn startups. The sector has also attracted significant international funding, including $2 million from the U.S. government and $500 million from the World Bank. Digital transactions in Nigeria have surged, with online payments reaching ₦78 trillion over the past five years, further emphasizing the critical role broadband plays in economic growth.
Despite the optimism surrounding NBAN, several challenges remain, including multiple taxation on telecom operators, infrastructure vandalism, and concerns over the commercial viability of broadband projects. However, the initiative’s public-private partnership model is expected to address these hurdles and drive improvements across key sectors such as education, healthcare, financial inclusion, agriculture, and manufacturing.
Speaking on the broader impact of NBAN, Wole Abu emphasized that the initiative represents a collective response to Nigeria’s broadband challenges. He noted that the future is digital, and achieving a robust broadband infrastructure is essential for unlocking the nation’s true potential. The event also provided an opportunity for industry players to reconnect, with Abu mentioning his discussion with Airtel Nigeria’s Managing Director, Dinesh Balsingh, who is embarking on his second tenure in the country.
As Nigeria moves forward with this ambitious broadband expansion, industry experts and stakeholders remain optimistic about the potential of NBAN to transform lives and accelerate the nation’s digital economy.
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