The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has approved a $200 million loan to support Nigeria’s digital infrastructure expansion and job creation efforts. The funding will go towards the Digital Value Chain Infrastructure for Boosting Employment (D-VIBE) Project, a flagship initiative aimed at closing connectivity gaps and strengthening Nigeria’s digital economy.
The project will expand Nigeria’s national fibre backbone from about 30,000 kilometres to approximately 120,000 kilometres, connecting all 774 Local Government Areas. The expanded network will link schools, health facilities, agro-industrial zones, rural communities, and commercial hubs to high-speed broadband services. It will also establish cross-border fibre connections with Benin, Cameroon, Niger, and Chad to boost regional digital integration.
The initiative is structured as a public-private partnership through a Special Purpose Vehicle to accelerate implementation and attract private investment. Public sector ownership will range between 25 and 49 per cent, while private sector participation will account for 51 to 75 per cent. The AfDB loan forms part of an $800 million sovereign financing package, alongside $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 support from private sector investments and development partners.
The project is expected to generate up to 2.8 million jobs over its lifecycle and increase Nigeria’s broadband penetration from 45 per cent to about 70 per cent by 2030. An EU grant of €22 million and a $2.6 million project preparation grant from the Multilateral Cooperation Center for Development Finance are also included.
Abdul Kamara, Director-General of AfDB’s Nigeria Office, said the project would unlock opportunities across sectors. “From the north to the south, from farms to factories to classrooms, this investment will make high-speed connectivity a reality for every Nigerian community,” he said. Kamara added that the initiative would equip young Nigerians with digital tools needed to build sustainable livelihoods.
The project will address barriers to digital adoption through affordable devices, large-scale skills development, and support for digital platforms. It will also promote cybersecurity, enhance market competition, and encourage the use of renewable energy to ensure resilience and sustainability. The initiative aligns with Nigeria’s Vision 2050, National Development Plan, and Renewed Hope Agenda, as well as the African Union’s Agenda 2063. It also supports AfDB’s 10-Year Strategy (2024–2033), which prioritises inclusive growth and sustainable development across the continent.
