Niger has marked a significant milestone in its push for digital development by completing the provisional acceptance of more than 1,000 kilometers of fiber-optic infrastructure.
The work falls under the Trans-Sahara Optical Fibre Backbone Project, financed by the African Development Bank Group.
An official ceremony on November 14 in Niamey brought together key stakeholders, including government officials, project coordinators, and telecom operators.
The network includes five main cross-border routes linking Niger to Algeria, Chad, Nigeria, Benin, and Burkina Faso.
It also features an 88-kilometer urban loop to connect key administrative sites to a future Tier III national data center.
The project, with an estimated cost of €43 million, is funded by the African Development Fund and Niger’s national counterpart contribution.
It aims to strengthen regional integration, lower connectivity costs, and enhance digital access for citizens, businesses, and public services.
According to the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), the infrastructure is a strategic tool for boosting digital resilience and creating economic opportunities, particularly for young people.
The project also supports the digitization of public services and promotes sectors like e-commerce and mobile financial services.
Officials stressed that while the network is a significant achievement, it marks only the beginning of broader digital transformation efforts.
The Bank’s portfolio in Niger exceeds 663 billion CFA francs and includes key investments in energy, transport, agriculture, and technology.
In his address, Mamadou Tangara, the AfDB Country Office representative in Niger, stated, “We would like to recognize an important milestone in building a connected, inclusive, and technologically sovereign Africa.”
