Nigeria Forum Calls for Investment to Boost Digital Connectivity

At the Nigeria Digital Connectivity Investment Forum 2026, stakeholders emphasized the need for long-term financing and better power supply to improve digital connectivity in Nigeria. The two-day forum took place in Abuja, organized by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) alongside Swedfund and Ookla.

The theme of the forum was “Unlocking Infrastructure Investment through Data, Transparency and Partnerships.” It attracted government officials, regulators, investors, and technology companies. Participants highlighted the urgent need for investment in fiber infrastructure, data centers, and other essential digital services due to the rising demand for digital solutions.

In July 2026, Nigeria consumed approximately 1.6 million terabytes of data, a nearly 47 percent increase from the previous year. The forum projected that mobile subscriptions could grow from 195 million to 350 million over the next decade, driven by advancements in cloud computing and artificial intelligence.

Telecommunications and information services contributed nearly 10 percent to Nigeria’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the second quarter of 2026. Despite mobile broadband coverage reaching about 90 percent, smartphone ownership is only around 27 percent, and broadband penetration stands at 57.4 percent, below the national goal of 70 percent.

Participants identified affordability of devices, digital skills, and trust as major barriers to improving connectivity. They stressed that simply expanding network coverage would not be enough to close the digital gap.

The collaboration between the NCC, Swedfund, and Ookla aims to provide detailed information on connectivity issues in Nigeria. This data can help pinpoint specific infrastructure needs. The forum concluded that planning for energy and connectivity investments should go hand in hand, recognizing that power generation at tower sites could support digital infrastructure development.