Galaxy Backbone (GBB), a state-owned ICT solutions provider, announced a partnership with pan-African digital infrastructure company WIOCC. Nigeria has set an ambitious target of achieving 70% broadband penetration by 2025.
The agreement aims to leverage the strengths of both entities to enhance broadband access across Nigeria.As of October 31, 2024, the penetration rate stood at 42.27%, according to data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
According to official statistics, Nigeria had 91.57 million broadband users and 134.78 million internet subscribers as of late October, out of a population estimated at 216 million. Despite these numbers, a substantial portion of the population remains disconnected. The Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) estimates that 120 million Nigerians do not use the internet, highlighting a significant digital divide.
“This partnership will improve the responsiveness, efficiency, and quality of services for businesses and government institutions. It also aims to bridge the digital divide by expanding broadband access in underserved areas and fostering partnerships with Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to boost Nigeria’s digital economy,” GBB stated.
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The collaboration is expected to expand broadband network coverage in a country where 3G, 4G, and 5G networks currently cover 89.4%, 84.2%, and 11.8% of the population, respectively, according to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) DataHub platform.
However, experts caution that network expansion alone may not translate into increased adoption of broadband services. The GSMA’s “The State of Mobile Internet Connectivity Report 2024” identifies barriers such as lack of awareness, high costs of devices and data, low digital literacy, security concerns, and social norms as challenges limiting internet adoption in Nigeria.
By addressing these obstacles and leveraging the new partnership, Nigeria hopes to not only meet but exceed its broadband penetration goals, paving the way for a more digitally inclusive future.
