Nigeria advances digital connectivity through fiber, 5G, and satellite trials

Nigeria is pursuing a digital transformation strategy centered on three pillars: massive fiber optic deployment, 5G expansion, and digital identity reform. According to a GSMA study, while the country possesses a mature digital ecosystem, only 30% of its population was connected as of 2025.

To address connectivity gaps, the government’s Bridge project, supported by $500 million from the World Bank, aims to deploy 90,000 km of national fiber optic cable. Simultaneously, the expansion of 5G is being driven by major players like MTN. On the regulatory front, the NIMC 2026 law has granted legal status to National Identification Numbers (NIN) for banking, health, and tax services to unify the digital economy.

In rural areas where terrestrial infrastructure is difficult to deploy, NuRAN Wireless is conducting a pilot project using satellite backhaul. This trial, which utilizes Starlink services via a third-party provider, tests whether satellite links can reduce the cost of rural coverage by connecting mobile antennas to the core network in real-world operating environments.