ABUJA — The Federal Government has secured a major boost for its digital infrastructure agenda as the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, announced new financial support from the China Industrial Bank (CIB) for the Nigeria Universal Communication Access Project (NUCAP).
Bridging the Digital Divide
NUCAP is a landmark initiative designed to bring reliable internet and telecommunications connectivity to over 20 million Nigerians living in underserved rural and riverine communities. The project centers on the deployment of 3,700 telecommunications towers across the country.
Key features of the infrastructure project include:
Green Energy Integration: The deployment will feature a fully green network of modern telecommunications infrastructure, aligning with sustainable development goals.
Rapid Deployment: Under the new partnership, CIB has pledged to support the government's ambitious short-term goal of deploying at least 1,000 tower sites before the end of 2026.
International Confidence and Economic Impact
The announcement followed a high-level meeting in Abuja between Dr. Tijani and a delegation from CIB, led by Peng Shuang, General Manager of Strategic Emerging Industries Business Headquarters. This agreement marks CIB’s first-ever investment in Nigeria, which the Minister characterized as a significant vote of confidence in the nation's digital transformation agenda.
"This will help accelerate access to connectivity, unlock economic opportunities, and drive digital inclusion for millions of Nigerians," Dr. Tijani stated. By strengthening the national digital infrastructure backbone, the project aims to stimulate local economies and ensure that underserved regions are not left behind in the global digital transition.
