Nigeria invests $2bn in submarine cable resilience to secure its digital infrastructure and accelerate its $1 trillion economy goal. Discover details on this strategic digital move and the upcoming summit in Abuja.
In a landmark move for the country’s digital future, Nigeria is set to invest $2bn in enhancing its submarine cable infrastructure—a critical component of the global digital economy. This strategic investment is part of a broader plan to drive Nigeria toward its ambitious $1 trillion economy target, ensuring that the backbone of its internet connectivity remains robust and resilient.
Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, stressed the vital importance of these underwater cables at a recent press conference in Abuja. “About 90 percent of our internet traffic depends on the quality of our subsea cables,” he noted. With this initiative extending across 90,000 kilometers of cable, the government is working to safeguard digital connectivity, improve network quality, and support exponential growth in digital technology.
In parallel with the infrastructure boost, Nigeria will host its first-ever International Submarine Cable Resilience Summit in Abuja on February 26-27. The summit is expected to draw experts from 50 countries and over 250 stakeholders, including government officials, private sector leaders, cable operators, and technology innovators. Tomas Lamanauskas, Deputy Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), highlighted the indispensable role of submarine cables in global connectivity, emphasizing that these cables are the unsung heroes that enable seamless communication across continents and support satellite communications.
The urgency of this initiative is underscored by last year’s massive submarine cable disruption in West Africa, which affected 13 countries, including Nigeria. Underwater earthquakes severed four major cables, causing widespread internet outages that disrupted banking services, stock exchanges, and mobile money platforms. Dr. Tijani recalled the incident as a stark reminder of why protecting the nation’s digital infrastructure is not only about connectivity but also about economic security and technological advancement.
Nigeria’s bold investment in submarine cable resilience is a cornerstone of its strategy to achieve a $1 trillion economy. By reinforcing the digital infrastructure, the country aims to leapfrog key sectors, drive innovation, and ensure that digital technologies continue to propel economic growth. The upcoming summit will facilitate discussions on crisis management, recovery strategies, technological innovations, and maintenance protocols, as well as explore ways to diversify cable routes to minimize the risk of future disruptions.
With this proactive approach, Nigeria is positioning itself as a leader in digital innovation and submarine cable resilience, securing its digital backbone and reinforcing its pivotal role in the global digital economy.
