Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, says the digital infrastructure agreement between Backbone Connectivity Network Nigeria Limited (BCN) and Equatorial Guinea reflects President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s deliberate push to grow the economy, empower Nigerian enterprises, and strengthen investor confidence through strategic diplomacy.
Tuggar made the remarks in Malabo during the signing of an agreement for the development of telecommunications infrastructure to support Equatorial Guinea’s digital ecosystem.
The project involves the deployment of a subsea fibre-optic cable, aimed at expanding broadband capacity, enhancing digital communications, and deepening regional cooperation on cybersecurity.
According to the foreign affairs minister, the initiative is a direct outcome of President Tinubu’s official visit to Equatorial Guinea in August 2024, during which multiple bilateral understandings were reached. He noted that the telecommunications project translates those engagements into concrete economic and technological cooperation.
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The agreement on principles was signed by Ibrahim Dikko on behalf of Backbone Connectivity Network Nigeria Limited, while Honorato Evita Oma, Minister of Transport, Telecommunications and Artificial Intelligence Systems, signed for the Equatorial Guinean government.
Under the agreement, BCN is expected to contribute significantly to the expansion of digital infrastructure, improved connectivity, and stronger cybersecurity frameworks within the sub-region.
The signing ceremony was supervised by Equatorial Guinea’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Business Promotion and Industry, Gaudencio Mohaba Messu, and witnessed by Ambassador Tuggar; Equatorial Guinea’s Foreign Minister, Simeón Oyono Esono Angüe; alongside senior government officials from both countries.
(Editor: Ada Ononye)
