Project BRIDGE enters implementation phase

Nigeria’s broadband expansion program, Project BRIDGE, has entered implementation following the incorporation of Bridge Open Access to oversee 90,000 kilometres of fibre-optic cable deployment.

Nigeria’s nationwide broadband expansion program, Project BRIDGE, officially entered its implementation phase following the incorporation of Bridge Open Access (Bridge OA). Operating under a public-private partnership, the corporate vehicle will oversee the deployment of 90,000 kilometers of fibre-optic cable across all 774 local government areas.

The entry into the implementation phase is a significant milestone for Nigeria’s digital infrastructure. The 90,000-kilometre fibre-optic network will connect millions of Nigerians to high-speed internet, unlocking new opportunities for education, business and healthcare. The public-private partnership model is designed to leverage private sector capital and expertise.

This echoes the 2018 broadband expansion, which also sought to improve internet access. The mechanism then was different, but the result was the same: a focus on bridging the digital divide.

The winners: rural communities, which will gain access to high-speed internet; and the Nigerian economy, which benefits from improved connectivity. The losers: the Nigerian government, which must ensure the project is completed on time; and the Nigerian public, who must wait for the benefits.

Bottom Line: Project BRIDGE has entered implementation. Fibre-optic cable is coming to all 774 LGAs. The question is whether the project will be completed or abandoned.