World Bank to partner Nigeria on providing broadband access nationwide
The World Bank says it is working with the Nigerian government to provide digital broadband access across the country as part of a wider partnership focused on accelerating economic growth and improving youth employment.
Speaking during a courtesy visit to President Bola Tinubu in Abuja on Wednesday, Anshula Kant, managing director and chief financial officer of the World Bank Group, said the digital project is one of the institution’s biggest forthcoming investments in Nigeria.
“One of the biggest forthcoming projects will be in the digital space, providing digital broadband access across the country,” Kant said.
The World Bank executive noted that the initiative aligns with Nigeria’s development priorities, particularly in areas such as youth employment, infrastructure, energy, and human capital.
“Some of our key priorities and Nigeria’s key priorities resonate well together. Today, the World Bank Group is on a mission to eradicate poverty on a livable planet. What does that mean? Accelerated growth and better jobs for young people,” she stated.
“To achieve this, we must create an enabling environment, which includes access to energy, digital services, higher agricultural productivity, better health services, and education. Human capital development is of critical importance.”
Kant was accompanied by senior World Bank officials, including Mayank Goyal, Taimur Samad, and Nigeria’s Finance Minister, Wale Edun. Also present were Communications Minister Bosun Tijani and the chief of staff to the president, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Commending the Nigerian government’s economic policies, Kant said, “The positive results are already visible.”
