According to the Bank’s website, the objective of this project is to expand inclusive use of high quality and climate resilient broadband internet in selected unserved and underserved areas of Nigeria.

The BRIDGE project directly supports Nigeria's broadband strategy and digital transformation agenda by expanding access to high-quality, climate-resilient broadband infrastructure in underserved areas. With a total budget of US$1.6 billion--including US$500 million in IDA financing and US$1.1 billion in expected private capital--it will establish a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to deploy 90,000 km of open-access fiber. Public funds will support feasibility studies, transaction advisory, SPV setup, and equity contributions. The network will be energy-efficient, climate-adaptive, and powered by renewable energy where needed.BRIDGE is designed to address structural market failures that have left much of Nigeria without reliable broadband access. It targets areas where private sector investment has not been viable, using catalytic public financing to unlock new infrastructure development and crowd in commercial capital.

The project includes two components.
Component 1: Resilient Digital Infrastructure will finance the rollout of backbone and middle-mile fiber networks, crowding in private investment through the SPV. It will fund preparatory studies, transaction advisory, and equity issuance, enabling a phased, demand-responsive deployment of 90,000 km of open-access, climate-resilient fiber. The SPV will offer wholesale services to ISPs under transparent, non-discriminatory terms, with a strong emphasis on commercial viability, environmental standards, and energy efficiency. The fiber network will replace microwave backhaul, reducing emissions and improving reliability, and will be co-located with renewable energy investments where grid access is limited.
Component 2: Project Management and Implementation Support will finance a dedicated Project Implementation Unit (PIU) within the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy (FMCIDE). The PIU will oversee procurement, safeguards, financial management, and monitoring and evaluation activities. The component will also support citizen engagement, including grievance redress, and ensure quality assurance and audit functions are maintained throughout implementation.

The project environmental and social risks are rated as Substantial. The environmental risk is rated as substantial because of the following reasons: (i) the project will support minor civil works (construction of trenching, duct installation, and aerial fiber deployment works) and some of the project's targeted areas are anticipated to be in rural regions, whose locations are not known at this stage; (ii) concerns with weak institutional capacity and the limited experience and capacities that the Federal Ministry of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy (FMCIDE) may have including concerns around weak enforcement of national legislation that exist; (iii) concerns around Community Health and Safety as a result of construction Also, potential OHS risks associated with fiber optic cables, include the risk of injury from sharp glass shards, eye damage from invisible light, and exposure to harmful chemicals ; (iv) the issue on Cultural Heritage and potential chance finds due to the construction of trenching, duct installation, and aerial fiber deployment works; (v) risk of waste and e-waste management; and (vi) other risks are linked to the numerous actors which will be participating in the project and environmental management and supervision can be diluted. The social risks for the project are anticipated around the following: (i) enforcement of government right-of-way (ROW) and possible temporary impacts on shops and restrictions to assets during construction phase particularly in congested urban areas.; (ii) adverse impacts to the community dueto materials movement, project workers and security personnel; and (iv) challenges with stakeholder engagement given the geographical coverage and range of institutional stakeholders involved.

Total Project Cost: US$ 1,600.00 million
IDA Credit: US$ 500.00 million

CONTACT POINT - World Bank

Task Team Leader: Natalija Gelvanovska-Garcia
Title: Senior Digital Specialist
Email: ngelvanovska@worldbank.org

TTL Contact: Alma Nurshaikhova
Job Title: Senior Digital Specialist
Email: anurshaikhova@worldbank.org

TTL Contact: Ida S Mboob
Job Title: Senior Digital Specialist
Email: imboob@worldbank.org

Borrower/Client/Recipient
The Federal Republic of Nigeria

Implementing Agencies
Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy
Olatunbosun Tijani
Minister
bosun.tijani@commtech.gov.ng

ACCESS TO INFORMATION

To submit an information request for project information, you will have to create an account to access the Access to Information request form. You can learn more about this process at: https://www.worldbank.org/en/access-to-information/request-submission

ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISM OF THE WORLD BANK

The World Bank Inspection Panel is the independent complaint mechanism and fact-finding body for people who believe they are likely to be, or have been, adversely affected by a World Bank-financed project. If you submit a complaint to the Inspection Panel, they may investigate to assess whether the World Bank is following its own policies and procedures for preventing harm to people or the environment. You can contact the Inspection Panel or submit a complaint by emailing ipanel@worldbank.org. Information on how to file a complaint and a complaint request form are available at: https://www.inspectionpanel.org/how-to-file-complaint