The European Union has engaged with private sector leaders in Lagos to explore partnerships and boost investments aimed at accelerating the growth of Nigeria’s digital economy.
As part of the EU’s Global Gateway Strategy, the EU-Nigeria Digital Economy Package is designed to support Nigeria’s digital transformation and its aspiration to become a regional digital powerhouse.
Key initiatives include expanding the country’s national fibre-optic network by 90,000 km, enhancing digital public services, and upskilling the ICT workforce through programs like the 3 Million Technical Talents initiative, according to a statement released by the EU on Friday.
During a breakfast meeting with private sector stakeholders, Massimo De Luca, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, emphasized the EU’s focus on rallying private sector support, particularly for the digital infrastructure component.
This collaboration aims to foster public-private partnerships in large-scale projects, including the 90,000 km fibre-optic expansion. With the backing of the EU, these projects will benefit from financial mechanisms that reduce risks and provide guarantees.
“Digital public services and entrepreneurship offer prime opportunities for private sector involvement,” De Luca noted, highlighting the EU and Nigeria’s shared procurement systems that could engage both sides in the country’s digital journey.
On the front of digital infrastructure investment, De Luca shared that the European Investment Bank (EIB) has already invested €100 million to improve secure 4G connectivity in Lagos and Ogun states.
The EU is also supporting the rollout of the 90,000 km fibre-optic infrastructure, aiming to enhance connectivity in both urban and rural areas, in alignment with Nigeria’s Broadland Strategy.
This project will also improve the government’s digital interface with citizens and businesses while maintaining high privacy, safety, and cybersecurity standards, fostering an open internet and digital marketplace.
In terms of digital public services, De Luca revealed that the EIB is providing a €250 million loan to the National Identity Management Commission to strengthen Nigeria’s digital identity infrastructure with stringent data protection protocols.
Additionally, the EU is offering technical assistance to the Office of the Vice President and working closely with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy to improve registration processes for start-ups and Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs).
The EU’s commitment also extends to nurturing Nigeria’s workforce for the digital age. By supporting the creation and scaling of tech start-ups, the EU aims to foster innovation and provide young graduates and MSMEs with the tools they need to succeed.
Notably, the EU and Germany are co-funding the Digital Transformation Centre (DTC) in Nigeria, managed by GIZ, to promote innovation-friendly ecosystems and new digital solutions.
Additionally, the EU funds the Nigerian Jubilee Fellowship Programme, which trains young ICT graduates and deploys them into the workforce, further supporting the 3 Million Technical Talents (3MTT) initiative.
De Luca further explained that the EU’s focus on skill development is crucial for fueling Nigeria’s digital economy, particularly for youth and women.
Through initiatives like the €9.5 million grant to the DTC project and the €45 million grant to the Nigerian Jubilee Fellowship Programme, the EU is fostering on-the-job training for young Nigerians and linking them to employment opportunities with Nigerian and EU companies.
Thuweba Diwani, Head of the DTC Nigeria Project at GIZ, highlighted that the initiative bridges the gap between Nigerian and EU private sector players in the digital economy, paving the way for deeper collaboration.
The EU is also aiding the development of regulatory frameworks with the highest standards of privacy and cybersecurity, ensuring that Nigeria’s data protection laws align more closely with EU standards.
“The EU is committed to fostering a secure, open, and innovative digital economy, supporting Nigeria’s digital transformation and empowering its youth and women to thrive in the emerging digital landscape,” Diwani concluded.
