AfDB Approves $200M Loan for Nigeria's Digital Infrastructure
Analysis based on 14 articles · First reported Apr 11, 2026 · Last updated Apr 12, 2026
The approval of a $200 million loan to Nigeria for digital infrastructure expansion is expected to significantly boost the country's digital economy, leading to increased broadband penetration and job creation. This positive development for Nigeria could attract further foreign investment in its technology and infrastructure sectors.
The African Development Bank Group has approved a $200 million loan to Nigeria for the Digital Value Chain Infrastructure for Boosting Employment (D-VIBE) Project, also known as Project BRIDGE. This initiative aims to expand Nigeria's national fibre backbone from 30,000 km to 120,000 km, connecting all 774 local government areas to high-speed broadband and establishing cross-border links with Benin, Cameroon, Niger, and Chad. The $200 million loan is part of a larger $800 million sovereign financing package, which includes $500 million from the World Bank and $100 million from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Total project financing is estimated at $2 billion, with additional contributions from the European Union and the Multilateral Cooperation Center for Development Finance, alongside significant private sector investment. The project is structured as a public-private partnership and is expected to create up to 2.8 million jobs and increase broadband penetration from 45% to 70% by 2030. It also focuses on digital skills development, affordable device access, and cybersecurity.
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