Nigeria signs €14m grant agreement for nationwide fibre-backbone project

Nigeria has signed a €14 million grant agreement with the European Union and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to support a nationwide fibre-optic backbone project, according to an October 15 report from the African Press Agency.

The project sits within a broader plan to expand fibre infrastructure across the country, with a reported target of 90,000 kilometres. A stronger backbone could improve the capacity and resilience of internet connections between cities and communities, supporting businesses, public services, education and digital payments.

The headline funding is only one part of the delivery challenge. Fibre routes require rights of way, dependable power at network facilities, security for equipment, last-mile connections and commercial arrangements that make services affordable. Infrastructure on a map does not automatically translate into a reliable connection for households or small businesses.

The public-interest test will be geographic reach, wholesale access, service quality and whether competition allows lower costs to reach users. Transparent milestones and reporting will help show how the grant supports the larger investment programme and where deployment is actually completed.

Source: African Press Agency, published October 15, 2026. Oseen has summarized the reported agreement and added implementation context.