The Federal Government has unveiled plans to spend additional $2 billion on the deployment of 90,000 kilometre fibre optic cables nationwide as part of its ongoing initiatives to boost the nation’s digital economy.
The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, who gave this hint in Kano on Monday during a tour of the Digital Innovation Park in Kano, which was vandalized during a protest in September, said the project would boost the country’s terrestrial fibre optic backbone with the expansion of the fibre optic cable capacity from 35,000km to 125,000km.
This is even as he expressed optimism that the project would also impact positively on critical sectors of the economy like education, health, and agriculture as well as also enhance private sector involvement in Kano’s growing digital economy.
The minister explained: “To support this vision, the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy is committed to deepening Nigeria’s digital backbone.
“Through the National Broadband Alliance and in collaboration with Kano State Government, we are simplifying the process for private infrastructure companies to invest in Kano’s digital economy.
“This partnership will facilitate further investment in connectivity, ensuring that key institutions like schools, hospitals and public offices are connected, enabling Kano to become a true digital hub.
This is our moment to become a net exporter of technology talent, while also strengthening our own local industries,” he said.
According to him, in order to enhance private sector investments in Kano, the Federal Government collaborating with the Kano State Government to simplify investment processes for private companies, adding that “through the National Broadband Alliance, and the collaboration with the Kano State Government, we are simplifying the process for private infrastructure companies to invest in Kano’s digital economy.
“This partnership would facilitate further investment in connectivity, ensuring that key institutions like schools, hospitals, and public offices are connected, enabling Kano to become a true digital hub”, Tijani assured.
