Nigeria, Burkina Faso plan fibre corridors to cut costs
Communications Minister Bosun Tijani announced bilateral talks with Burkina Faso to establish regional fibre corridors via Niger and Benin, aiming to cut internet transit costs for landlocked nations.
Communications Minister Dr Bosun Tijani announced bilateral talks with Burkina Faso to establish regional fibre corridors via Niger and Benin, aiming to cut internet transit costs for landlocked nations by up to 50%. The corridors would provide landlocked countries with access to undersea fibre optic cables, reducing their dependence on expensive satellite internet.
The initiative is a significant step towards improving internet connectivity in the region. Landlocked countries like Burkina Faso have historically paid high prices for internet access due to their reliance on satellite connections. The fibre corridors would provide a cheaper and more reliable alternative. The talks are a recognition that regional cooperation is essential for improving digital infrastructure.
This echoes the 2020s push for regional fibre optic networks in Africa, which has seen several countries collaborate on infrastructure projects. The mechanism then was different, but the result was the same: a focus on improving connectivity.
The winners: Burkina Faso and other landlocked countries, which will benefit from cheaper internet; and the Nigerian economy, which gains from regional integration. The losers: satellite internet providers, who face competition; and the Nigerian government, which must ensure the project is implemented.
Bottom Line: Nigeria and Burkina Faso are planning fibre corridors. Landlocked nations could see internet costs drop. The question is whether the project will be completed or remain on paper.