Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Bosun Tijani
Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, has stated that the federal government’s newly launched $2 billion broadband initiative is poised to significantly enhance the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Speaking at the “Smart Growth, Digital Leap” plenary hosted by IHS Towers during the 31st Nigerian Economic Summit (NES #31) held in Abuja, Tijani described the project as a transformative step towards digital inclusion and a cornerstone for establishing Nigeria as a leading technology hub in Africa.
He emphasized that the plan represents a bold investment in Nigeria’s digital infrastructure. With a focus on deploying fibre-optic broadband and innovation centers nationwide, the initiative is designed to unlock new economic opportunities across sectors.
Funded through a hybrid model—49% government and 51% private investment—the project aims to deliver universal broadband access across all 774 local government areas within three years.
“Connectivity is not a luxury; it is fundamental to productivity,” Tijani stated.
Referencing data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), he noted that the ICT sector already contributes approximately 15% to Nigeria’s GDP—one of the highest ratios in Sub-Saharan Africa. Despite this progress, broadband penetration currently hovers at around 50%, leaving a significant portion of the population without internet access.
Citing research from the World Bank, Tijani pointed out that a 10% increase in broadband penetration can result in a 2% annual increase in GDP, underscoring the potential economic impact of expanded connectivity.
Backed by development partners including the World Bank, International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), the project is also intended to designate broadband infrastructure as critical national infrastructure. This classification is expected to encourage further private sector involvement and reduce operational costs for telecom providers.
Highlighting one example of successful public-private partnership, Tijani referenced the IHS Towers-led innovation hub project, which he described as the largest of its kind in West Africa. The hub is set to offer training programs, startup incubation, and access to international investors, following successful models seen in countries like India and Brazil.
The minister also stressed that the benefits of expanded broadband access extend far beyond the technology sector. He pointed to economic forecasts suggesting that improved internet coverage in rural areas could add as much as $25 billion annually to Nigeria’s agricultural output, supporting efforts to diversify exports.
Tijani further noted the government’s ongoing efforts through the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) initiative, which is focused on equipping young Nigerians with in-demand digital skills. Training areas include artificial intelligence, cloud computing, data analytics, and cybersecurity, with around 4% of participants specializing in AI.
He asserted that achieving a trillion-dollar economy is unrealistic without nationwide digital infrastructure, and credited the Tinubu administration for laying the groundwork through policy reforms and regulatory support that prioritize broadband as a key economic driver.
Also speaking at the summit, IHS Nigeria CEO Mohamad Darwish highlighted the rapid development of Nigeria’s digital ecosystem, noting the country’s growing tech sector, social media usage, and increased reliance on digital platforms for education, business, and finance.
He acknowledged that while Nigeria leads Africa in startup activity and creative industries, challenges such as inconsistent power supply, limited rural internet coverage, and a digital skills gap continue to impede inclusive digital growth.
Darwish stressed that bridging these gaps would require long-term commitment to public-private collaboration. He said coordinated investments in infrastructure, innovation, and talent development could significantly raise national productivity and economic inclusion.
“The foundation of a smart economy lies in treating digital infrastructure and innovation as strategic priorities,” Darwish remarked. “To build an inclusive and prosperous Nigeria by 2030, digital technology must be at the center of our development agenda.”
He concluded by emphasizing the need for policy reforms that address rural connectivity, broadband affordability, and support for innovation clusters in key sectors like agriculture, health, education, and manufacturing. According to Darwish, strengthening Nigeria’s digital talent pipeline is essential to meeting the demands of the evolving digital economy.
