The European Union (EU) recently engaged with private sector players in Lagos to foster collaboration and increase investments aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s digital economy ecosystem. This initiative aligns with the EU’s Global Gateway Strategy and the EU-Nigeria Digital Economy Package, which supports Nigeria’s digital transition and its goal of becoming a regional digital hub.
Key initiatives under this package include backing Nigeria’s 90,000 km national fibre-optic expansion, improving digital public services, and upskilling the ICT workforce through programs like the 3 Million Technical Talents, according to an EU statement issued on Friday.
At a breakfast meeting with private sector representatives, Massimo De Luca, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, highlighted the EU’s efforts to engage the private sector, particularly in digital infrastructure, to strengthen the public-private partnership framework in Nigeria. He emphasized that this collaboration would allow the private sector to participate in large-scale projects such as the fibre-optic expansion, with EU support offering guarantees and financial mechanisms to de-risk investments.
“Digital public services and digital entrepreneurship offer valuable opportunities for the private sector, as there are many procurement systems that can involve both the EU and Nigeria’s private sector in this digital transformation,” De Luca said.
On the subject of digital infrastructure investment, De Luca revealed that the European Investment Bank (EIB) has already invested €100 million to expand secure 4G connectivity in Lagos and Ogun states. He further explained that the EU is providing technical support to roll out the 90,000 km of fibre-optic infrastructure across Nigeria, with plans to scale up its support to the project’s Special Purpose Vehicle, which aims to connect both urban and rural areas. This initiative aligns with Nigeria’s Broadband Strategy and aims to improve government interaction with citizens and businesses while ensuring high standards of privacy, safety, and cybersecurity. It will also promote an open internet and digital market, creating opportunities for trusted vendors.
In terms of public service digitalisation, the EIB is supporting the National Identity Management Commission with a €250 million loan to strengthen Nigeria’s digital identity infrastructure, ensuring the highest standards of data protection. The EU is also providing technical assistance to the digitalisation of the Office of the Vice-President and engaging with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy to better enable start-ups and Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) in business registration.
“By supporting the necessary skills for businesses and citizens to harness the digital transformation, more technical talent will be channeled into the Nigerian economy,” De Luca added.
The EU is also backing the creation and expansion of tech start-ups, focusing on innovative solutions that will benefit Nigeria’s economy and society, as well as supporting young graduates, MSMEs, and start-ups. In collaboration with Germany, the EU co-funds the Digital Transformation Centre (DTC) implemented by GIZ, which promotes innovation-friendly ecosystems and digital solutions. Additionally, the EU is funding the Nigerian Jubilee Fellowship Programme, aimed at training and deploying ICT-skilled youths onto the labor market while supporting the 3 Million Technical Talents initiative.
De Luca further explained that the EU is investing in skill development for Nigeria’s emerging digital economy, with a focus on youth and women. This is partially achieved through a €9.5 million grant to the DTC project and a €45 million grant to the NJFP, which provides on-the-job training and helps channel talent to both Nigerian and EU companies.
Thuweba Diwani, Head of Project at GIZ-DTC Nigeria, also discussed the support provided to the DTC Nigeria, stating that the initiative aims to create an interface between Nigerian and EU private sector actors in the digital economy.
“The EU is also helping to develop regulatory frameworks that ensure the highest standards of privacy, safety, and cybersecurity, while promoting an open internet and digital market that safeguards citizens’ rights,” Diwani explained. “This includes support for adopting the Data Protection Law and assisting the Data Protection Commission, which aligns Nigerian standards more closely with EU regulations and enhances enforcement capacity.”
