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By Chinenye Anuforo
Nigeria’s telecom industry is charting a bold new path to economic transformation, as the Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) throws its weight behind a $900 million broadband expansion plan anchored on local Internet Service Providers (ISPs).
At its Annual General Meeting (AGM), ATCON President, Tony Emoekpere, said the success of Nigeria’s digital economy will depend on how effectively indigenous operators are empowered to deliver connectivity beyond major cities.
He said broadband must extend beyond urban centres, noting that local ISPs are best positioned to deliver last-mile connectivity, provide tailored services, and drive innovation at the grassroots.
According to him, strengthening local ISPs will unlock opportunities far beyond internet access, positioning Nigeria for growth in FinTech, software development, digital platforms, and emerging technologies.
The industry’s push is driven by Project BRIDGE, a nationwide fibre optic rollout backed by about $900 million in combined funding including $500 million from the World Bank, $200 million from the African Development Bank, $100 million from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and $100 million from Agence Française de Développement.
The initiative is designed to extend broadband infrastructure to all states, local government areas, and wards across the country.
With its open-access model, the network is expected to create significant opportunities for Nigerian companies, particularly smaller ISPs, to expand services and compete effectively.
Stakeholders say this could mark a turning point in closing Nigeria’s connectivity gap and accelerating digital inclusion.
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Also speaking, Chidi Ibisi of Broadbased Communication Limited said local content must be properly understood as a tool for economic growth rather than protectionism.
He explained that local content is about building capacity, strengthening participation, and ensuring sustainable development.
Ibisi noted that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) remain the backbone of modern economies, accounting for over 98 per cent of businesses in Nigeria and contributing more than 50 per cent of GDP.
He stressed that while foreign investment remains critical in capital-intensive sectors like telecoms, it must be deliberately tied to local participation, skill development, job creation, and retention of economic value within Nigeria.
Industry stakeholders agreed that the broadband expansion will do more than improve connectivity, saying it will stimulate widespread economic activity by enabling local ISPs and digital service providers to grow.
They added that the initiative will drive job creation, boost local tech innovation, expand digital services nationwide, and strengthen Nigeria’s position in the global digital economy.
Participants also called for a clearly defined local content framework for the telecom sector, warning that without clarity, implementation could be weak or misdirected.
They urged the development of clear guidelines, measurable targets, and structured implementation strategies to ensure the policy delivers real capacity development.
To address this, ATCON disclosed plans to take a leading role in shaping policy direction through industry collaboration, including the development of a telecom-specific local content framework and the establishment of a multi-stakeholder committee.
The association also signalled its preference for self-regulation, aimed at aligning stakeholders and creating a practical roadmap for inclusive growth.
With Nigeria already gaining recognition in FinTech and software development, stakeholders said the right mix of infrastructure, policy, and local participation could unlock significant economic expansion.
The consensus at the meeting was that empowering local ISPs and SMEs is central to Nigeria’s digital and economic future.
