The African Development Bank Group has approved a $200 million loan to strengthen Nigeria’s digital infrastructure and support large-scale job creation through the Digital Value Chain Infrastructure for Boosting Employment (D-VIBE) Project, also known as Project BRIDGE.
The initiative is designed to bridge connectivity gaps and accelerate the country’s transition into a more inclusive digital economy. A major component of the project is the expansion of Nigeria’s national fibre backbone from approximately 30,000 kilometres to 120,000 kilometres. This upgrade aims to deliver high-speed broadband access to all 774 local government areas, significantly improving digital inclusion across urban and rural communities.
With broader connectivity, key sectors such as education, healthcare, agriculture, and commerce are expected to benefit. Schools, hospitals, agro-industrial zones, and business hubs will gain access to reliable internet services, enabling improved service delivery, innovation, and productivity. In addition, the project will establish cross-border fibre links with neighbouring countries, including Benin, Cameroon, Niger, and Chad, enhancing regional digital integration and economic cooperation.
Structured as a public-private partnership, the D-VIBE Project will combine government funding with private sector investment. The AfDB’s contribution is part of a broader $800 million financing package, which includes $500 million from the World Bank and $100 million from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Additional funding from the European Union and other development partners brings the total project value to approximately $2 billion.
The initiative is projected to create up to 2.8 million jobs while increasing Nigeria’s broadband penetration from 45 percent to 70 percent by 2030. According to AfDB’s Nigeria Director-General, Abdul Kamara, the investment will make high-speed internet accessible nationwide, empower young people with digital skills, and address barriers such as affordability, device access, and cybersecurity.
The project aligns with national and continental development frameworks, including Nigeria’s long-term economic vision and African Union Agenda 2063, reinforcing efforts toward sustainable growth and digital transformation.
