LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-The Federal Government has approved a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to facilitate the deployment of an additional 90,000 kilometers of fibre optic cable aimed at achieving universal internet access across Nigeria.
An SPV is a distinct legal entity created to manage specific projects. In this initiative, the SPV will oversee the implementation, financing, and operations of the fibre optics project.
The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, announced on Tuesday in a statement that this project would enhance the national backbone for internet access and optimize the utilization of the eight submarine cables currently landed in Nigeria.
Tijani stated that the project is set to expand Nigeria’s fibre optic network from 35,000 kilometers to 125,000 kilometers, positioning it as Africa’s third-longest terrestrial fibre optic backbone, trailing only South Africa and Egypt.
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Over the past few months, the ministry has been laying the groundwork for the SPV, which will follow governance and operational models similar to successful public-private partnerships in Nigeria, such as NIBSS and NLNG.
The minister explained, “This extensive coverage will enable us to optimise the unique benefit of having eight submarine cables already landed in Nigeria and, therefore, drive uptake of the data capacity that the cables offer beyond the current usage level of 10 per cent.
“Building on our existing work with the Broadband Alliance, this increased connectivity will help plug the current non-consumption gap by connecting over 200,000 educational, healthcare and social institutions across Nigeria, ensuring that a larger section of our society can be included in the benefits of internet connectivity.”
Tijani stated that the project aims to provide internet access to at least 50 percent of the 33 million Nigerians currently without it.
He added that this initiative is expected to significantly impact the country’s economy, with projected GDP growth of up to 1.5 percent per capita, increasing GDP from $472.6 billion in 2022 to $502 billion over the next four years.
Last week, the Groupe Special Mobile Association reported that about 71 percent of Nigerians lack regular access to mobile internet.
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The report indicated that with appropriate policies, Nigeria could gain 15 million new internet users by 2028, emphasizing that a broader digital transformation of the Nigerian economy is unattainable without universal digital connectivity.
The report stated, “While 29 per cent of Nigerians are regularly using mobile internet, there remains untapped potential; 71 per cent are not accessing these services regularly.
“An improved policy environment has the potential to help the industry boost coverage and adoption, resulting in 15 million additional internet users by 2028. However, the sector faces challenges to infrastructure deployment”.