The Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy has signalled potential Finnish participation in Nigeria’s planned $2 billion fibre optic expansion, as both countries formalise a broader partnership on digitalisation and innovation.
The development follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government of Nigeria and the Government of Finland in Abuja, marking a new phase in bilateral cooperation focused on digital infrastructure, emerging technologies and innovation ecosystems.
The agreement was executed by Dr Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, and Jarno Syrjälä, Under-Secretary of State for International Trade at Finland’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
Central to the announcement is Nigeria’s flagship broadband initiative, widely referenced as Project BRIDGE, a multi-billion-dollar programme designed to deploy approximately 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic infrastructure nationwide.
Project BRIDGE: Finland eyes role in Nigeria’s fibre expansion
Central to the announcement is Nigeria’s flagship broadband initiative, widely referenced as Project BRIDGE, a multi-billion-dollar programme designed to deploy approximately 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic infrastructure nationwide.
While the MoU spans multiple areas of cooperation, Tijani’s remarks indicate that discussions with Finnish stakeholders have extended into the fibre rollout, raising the prospect of Finland’s participation in one of Africa’s most ambitious digital infrastructure projects.
According to the minister, engagements held earlier in Helsinki with institutions including Finnvera and Finnfund explored collaboration around digital infrastructure financing and implementation, as well as opportunities linked to Project BRIDGE.
The initiative, estimated at around $2 billion, is designed to significantly expand Nigeria’s fibre backbone, improve broadband penetration, and support the country’s growing digital economy.
Beyond infrastructure, the MoU establishes a structured framework for collaboration across several priority areas, including digital government, digital public infrastructure, cybersecurity, emerging technologies, and capacity building.
Both countries are positioning the partnership as a platform to accelerate digital transformation, improve public service delivery, and foster innovation-led economic growth.
Tijani says the agreement represents a continuation of earlier engagements between Nigeria and Finland, reflecting a shared ambition to build an inclusive and innovation-driven digital economy.
“Today’s MoU signing marks an important step in strengthening the partnership between both countries as we work to build a more inclusive, innovation-driven digital economy,” the minister says, adding that the agreement builds on discussions around digital infrastructure and interoperability platforms.
Project BRIDGE: backbone of Nigeria’s digital ambitions
At the centre of Nigeria’s digital strategy is Project BRIDGE, an initiative aimed at addressing critical gaps in broadband access by deploying large-scale fibre infrastructure across the country.
The project is expected to connect underserved and unserved areas, lower the cost of internet access, and enable high-speed connectivity for businesses, government institutions and consumers.
By expanding fibre reach, Nigeria is seeking to strengthen the foundational layer required for digital services, including e-government platforms, fintech ecosystems, cloud computing, and data-driven industries.
The potential involvement of Finnish partners, could bring additional technical and financial capacity to the programme.
Finland has built a global reputation for its advanced digital economy, particularly in areas such as digital public services, interoperability frameworks, and cybersecurity.
Under the new agreement, Finnish institutions and private sector players are expected to collaborate with Nigerian counterparts to develop resilient and secure digital systems.
Syrjälä says the MoU provides a strong basis for practical cooperation across governments, institutions and industry.
“Finland is very pleased to deepen its partnership with Nigeria in building resilient, secure, and human-centric digital societies,” he says, emphasising the importance of digitalisation in driving trust, innovation and economic opportunity.
Aligning with EU-backed initiatives
The agreement also complements ongoing cooperation under broader European programmes supporting Nigeria’s digital transformation.
Finland is playing a leading role in the European Union’s Team Europe Initiative, which focuses on strengthening digital public services and advancing inclusive digital skills development in Nigeria.
The programme is being implemented by HAUS in collaboration with ESTDEV, aligning with Nigeria’s efforts to build digital capacity and improve service delivery through technology.
This alignment is expected to create synergies between bilateral and multilateral initiatives, particularly in areas such as digital identity systems, data exchange platforms and e-governance infrastructure.
Data exchange and digital public infrastructure
Another key area of collaboration highlighted in the MoU is the development of digital public infrastructure, including systems that enable secure data exchange across government platforms.
Nigeria has been advancing efforts to build interoperable systems that allow seamless interaction between public institutions, improving efficiency and transparency.
The reference to a Data Exchange Platform in Tijani’s remarks suggests ongoing work to establish frameworks that support secure and standardised data sharing, a critical component of modern digital economies.
Finnish expertise in interoperability and digital governance is expected to support Nigeria’s ambitions in this area.
Cybersecurity and emerging technologies
As digital systems expand, cybersecurity remains a central concern. The MoU includes provisions for cooperation in strengthening cyber resilience, protecting digital assets, and building capacity to address evolving threats.
Both countries also plan to collaborate on emerging technologies, which could include artificial intelligence, advanced analytics, and other innovations shaping the future of digital economies.
These areas are increasingly important as Nigeria seeks to position itself as a leading technology hub in Africa, capable of attracting investment and supporting innovation at scale.
The partnership also places emphasis on human capital development, with initiatives aimed at building digital skills and supporting innovation ecosystems.
This includes knowledge exchange programmes, technical training, and collaboration between academic institutions, startups and industry players.
For Nigeria, strengthening digital skills is seen as essential to unlocking the full benefits of infrastructure investments and ensuring inclusive participation in the digital economy.
Strengthening bilateral trade and investment
Beyond technology, the agreement is expected to deepen economic ties between Nigeria and Finland, creating opportunities for trade, investment and collaboration across sectors.
Digital infrastructure projects, in particular, are likely to attract financing from international development institutions and private investors, given their role in enabling broader economic growth.
By aligning policy frameworks and fostering collaboration, both countries aim to create an enabling environment for businesses to participate in the digital economy.
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