EU supports Nigeria with €14m grant for broadband expansion
Abuja, Oct. 2926 – The European Union (EU) is to support Nigeria with up to €14 million in grant funding to facilitate the deployment of 90,000 kilometres of fibre-optic infrastructure access across the country.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning after the agreement signing ceremony in Abuja on Wednesday.
The agreement was signed by representatives of the federal government, the European Union and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
According to the statement, the grant, which will be administered by the EBRD, will cover network design, project preparation, technical studies and capacity building
“The initiative, supported by the European Union and administered by the EBRD, provides up to €14m in funding for project scoping, fibre-optic network design, project preparation, and capacity-building activities for Nigeria’s nationwide fibre-optic backbone programme,” the statement said.
Atiku Bagudu, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, said the partnership would strengthen Nigeria’s digital infrastructure and support economic development.
He explained that the intervention would extend beyond technical preparations to include institutional development, knowledge transfer and capacity building.
“These components are essential for effective project implementation, for strengthening national expertise and for promoting the long-term sustainability of investments in digital infrastructure,” he said.
The minister promised that the ministry would coordinate and oversee the project, while the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy would supervise its technical implementation.
He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to international partnerships aimed at improving digital connectivity and promoting inclusive economic growth.
Deborah Odoh, the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, described the agreement as an important milestone in strengthening Nigeria’s digital infrastructure and institutional capacity.
She said the agreement reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transparent coordination, effective implementation, and sustained collaboration with development partners.
Massimo De Lu ca, the European Union representative in Nigeria, reaffirmed the bloc’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s digital transformation through investment and institutional cooperation.
