The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), in partnership with Swedfund and Ookla, has called for stronger investment, policy reforms and public-private partnerships to accelerate Nigeria’s digital infrastructure development. The call followed the Nigeria Digital Connectivity Investment Forum 2026, held in Abuja from September 29 to 30 under the theme, “Unlocking Infrastructure Investment through Data, Transparency and Partnerships.”
The forum brought together government officials, regulators, investors, development finance institutions, telecommunications operators and infrastructure providers to examine barriers to digital connectivity and identify practical solutions. Participants noted that Nigeria’s data consumption reached about 1.6 million terabytes in July 2026, representing nearly 47 per cent growth in 12 months, while subscriptions are projected to rise from about 195 million to 350 million within 10 to 15 years.
Stakeholders also observed that telecommunications and information services contributed 9.72 per cent to Nigeria’s real GDP in the second quarter of 2026. However, despite mobile broadband coverage of about 90 per cent, smartphone ownership remains at about 27 per cent and broadband penetration at 57.4 per cent, below the 70 per cent national target. Device affordability, digital skills and public trust were identified as major constraints.
The forum identified unreliable power supply, high inland connectivity costs and weak middle-mile infrastructure as major obstacles to network expansion, especially outside major cities. Participants therefore urged the Federal Government to accelerate Project BRIDGE, the proposed 90,000-kilometre national fibre backbone, while improving power availability and creating financing structures that reduce the cost of capital for the sector.
The NCC was encouraged to sustain ongoing reforms, including tariff realignment, protection of critical national information infrastructure and engagement with states on Right of Way charges. State governments were also urged to reduce and harmonise permit charges, while operators were encouraged to adopt shared-infrastructure and neutral-host models to lower the cost of rural and indoor coverage.
Participants further agreed on phased actions, including funding community-owned rural networks powered by renewable energy within six months, completing broadband mapping and open-access regulation within six to 18 months, and establishing a financing framework for telecommunications power infrastructure within 18 to 24 months. The NCC pledged to continue engaging stakeholders to advance the agreed investment and partnership pathways.