The World Bank has approved two loan packages worth $750m for Nigeria, set to be disbursed on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, according to documents released on the bank’s official platform. The financing is focused at enhancing health security and improving climate resilient digital infrastructure across the country.
The allocation comprises $500m for the Building Resilient Digital Infrastructure for Growth in Nigeria (BRIDGE) project and $250m under the Health Security Programme in Western and Central Africa, Nigeria, Phase II.
The BRIDGE programme, lead by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, is focused on improving broadband connectivity in under developed communities. With an estimated cost of $1.6bn, the project will draw funding from both concessional credit and private sector investment.
Communications and Digital Economy Minister, Dr Bosun Tijani, described the initiative as a game changer for Nigeria’s digital agenda. “Over the past two years, we have worked tirelessly on what is arguably the most ambitious and foundational digital infrastructure project in Nigeria’s history, Project BRIDGE,” Tijani said in August while unveiling the technical framework for a $2bn fibre-optic expansion plan.
According to him, the network is set to grow from 35,000 to more than 125,000 kilometres, featuring seven national fibre rings, 37 city level loops, 77 regional networks, and multiple edge data centres. The rollout will be executed through a Special Purpose Vehicle, with the Federal Government retaining a 51 per cent equity stake.
