The European Union (EU) has approved a €22 million grant to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to support Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy in rolling out fibre-optic cables under Project BRIDGE.
The grant will complement an expected €86 million EBRD loan, subject to final approval, marking the Bank’s first high-profile sovereign operation in Nigeria since the country became an EBRD shareholder last year.
The agreement was signed in Abuja during a visit by EBRD President, Odile Renaud-Basso.
Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, said the partnership reflects the government’s drive to deliver Project BRIDGE on schedule, adding that 2026 would be “a year of delivery” in Nigeria-EU cooperation.
Under Project BRIDGE, Nigeria plans to roll out 90,000km of fibre-optic networks through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), to be capitalised with support from the EBRD, World Bank and African Development Bank.
The EU grant blends technical assistance and investment support, including low-level design for the first 40,000km, cybersecurity and open-access standards, and security risk assessments to ensure resilient, trusted networks.
The programme will also train 2,000 technicians, provide targeted equipment subsidies and support small subcontractors through pooled procurement-moves expected to cut rollout costs by 20-30 per cent while strengthening local capacity and supply chains.
EU Ambassador, Gautier Mignot described digital connectivity as a strategic pillar of Nigeria-EU relations, vital for citizens and businesses alike.
Editor: Ken Eseni
