Globacom's Broadband Push Aims to Boost Nigeria's GDP by 2% Annually

Globacom, Nigeria's leading telecommunications provider, has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the country's digital infrastructure through active participation in the Nigerian Communications Commission's (NCC) business roundtable on Broadband Investment and Protection of Critical Information Infrastructure. The event, held at the NCC Headquarters in Abuja, aligns with the National Broadband Plan 2020–2025, which aims to achieve 70% broadband penetration by 2025 and expand population coverage to 80% by 2027 [1]. Themed "Right of Way and Protection of Broadband Infrastructure – The Road to Success in Broadband Investment and Connectivity," the two-day forum brings together federal and state government officials, private sector stakeholders, telecom operators, and regulatory bodies to address challenges in infrastructure expansion and security [2].

Globacom's sponsorship and logistical support underscore its role as a key player in Nigeria's digital transformation. The company emphasized its focus on fostering public-private partnerships to bridge the digital divide, particularly in underserved and rural communities where broadband penetration remains below 50% [3]. By advocating for policy reforms on Right of Way (RoW) issues and infrastructure investment incentives, Globacom aims to accelerate the deployment of high-speed internet while safeguarding critical communication assets against cyber threats and sabotage [2].

The roundtable highlights the urgency of expanding broadband access, given Nigeria's current challenges. As of July 2025, broadband penetration stood at 48.01%, lagging behind the 70% target outlined in the National Broadband Plan. Factors such as high RoW fees, infrastructure bottlenecks, and frequent fiber cuts due to vandalism have slowed progress, while the NIN-SIM verification exercise in 2024 disconnected millions of lines [4]. Additionally, rural areas face significant barriers, including limited electricity access and low digital literacy, which hinder adoption [5].

Globacom's involvement in the Critical National Information Infrastructure Protection Plan (CNIIPP) further underscores its dedication to securing Nigeria's digital ecosystem. The company's contributions to developing a coordinated telecom security framework aim to mitigate risks from cyberattacks and infrastructure sabotage, which are increasingly prevalent as Nigeria's digital economy expands [2]. This aligns with broader government initiatives, such as the $2 billion Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) project to deploy 90,000 km of fiber optic cable, a key step toward achieving universal connectivity [8].

The economic implications of improved broadband access are substantial. A 10% increase in broadband penetration could boost Nigeria's GDP by up to 2% annually, according to World Bank data cited by Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy Dr. Bosun Tijani [8]. The NCC's National Broadband Plan also targets reducing data costs to N390 per 1GB (1% of minimum wage) and ensuring minimum speeds of 25 Mbps in urban areas and 10 Mbps in rural regions by 2025 [3]. However, with infrastructure costs in rural areas up to 30 times higher than in Lagos, affordability remains a critical challenge for internet service providers [7].

Globacom's participation in the roundtable reflects its strategic vision to position Nigeria as a regional tech hub. The company has pledged to leverage its technical expertise to advocate for equitable digital access, aligning with initiatives like Project 774, which seeks to connect all 774 local government areas via satellite and fixed wireless technologies [2]. By addressing systemic barriers such as regulatory complexities and power instability, Globacom and its partners aim to unlock the digital economy's potential, particularly in agriculture, education, and fintech sectors [6].

The event underscores the importance of collaboration in achieving Nigeria's digital ambitions. While progress has been made-broadband subscriptions grew from 75.4 million in 2020 to over 104 million in July 2025-persistent gaps in rural connectivity and infrastructure investment remain [4]. Industry analysts stress that urgent policy reforms, state cooperation, and accelerated project execution are essential to closing the connectivity gap and realizing the economic benefits of a digitally inclusive society [4].

Source: [1] Newtelegraphng.com [2] Leadership.ng [3] NCC.gov.ng [4] Businessday.ng [5] TechSolutions247 [6] Nairametrics.com [7] Punchng.com [8] Globalfinancialdigest.com