World Bank hails Nigeria’s digital reforms, backs ambitious fibre backbone

WORLD BANK

By Profiles

By Taiwo Osho

Anshula Kant, World Bank Group Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer, has commended Nigeria’s digital reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. She also pointed out the bank’s support for Nigeria’s plan to lay a 90,000km national fibre-optic backbone, one of the largest of such projects in the world.

Strong Partnership Recognised

Addressing journalists after talks with President Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa, while accompanied by Taimur Samad, the Country Manager of World Bank Group, Kant said the bank has a large programme with Nigeria. She added that one of the biggest forthcoming projects will be in the digital space, providing broadband access across the country.

Broad Sector Support

“We have projects in the agribusiness space. We have projects in the energy space. Again, we have projects in the social protection, education, health space.”

Momentum and Mission

“They are not easy to do, but already you can see the big improvements and forward momentum that is taking place in Nigeria,” Kant stated, noting that the World Bank Group has embarked on a mission to eradicate poverty on a livable planet, which involves accelerating growth and creating better jobs for young people.

Nationwide Impact Planned

Also speaking, Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, described the scheme as “once-and-for-all” infrastructure that will ring every geopolitical zone and feed fibre “into homes, schools and hospitals.”

He said the Federal Government will take a minority stake while the private sector supplies 51 per cent of funding; the World Bank and other development financiers are expected to inject at least $500m.