Nigeria’s data consumption rose by nearly 47 percent to about 1.6 million terabytes in July 2026, as demand for digital services continues to outpace network capacity.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) disclosed this in a communiqué issued after the Nigeria Digital Connectivity Investment Forum 2026, held in Abuja on September 29 and 30.
The commission said Nigeria’s telecommunications and information services contributed 9.72 percent to real GDP in the second quarter of 2026, highlighting the growing importance of the digital economy.
Participants at the forum projected that telecommunications subscriptions could rise from about 195 million currently to 350 million within the next 10 to 15 years. The NCC said the expansion of cloud computing and artificial intelligence would further increase demand for networks, data centres and electricity.
The commission identified power supply and middle-mile connectivity as major obstacles to digital infrastructure deployment. It also noted that while mobile broadband covers about 90 percent of Nigerians, smartphone ownership is only about 27 percent, while broadband penetration stands at 57.4 percent, below the 70 percent target.
According to the NCC, device affordability, digital skills and trust remain major barriers to wider digital adoption, meaning increased network coverage alone will not be enough to close Nigeria’s digital divide.
Participants recommended accelerating Project BRIDGE, the planned 90,000-kilometre national fibre backbone, to improve middle-mile connectivity. They also called for more reliable electricity, consistent policies and financing arrangements that would lower the cost of capital in the sector.
State governments were urged to reduce and harmonise right-of-way and site permit charges while shortening approval timelines. The NCC said reforms in 12 states had resulted in fibre growth of between 22 percent and 95 percent, while the number of states charging zero right-of-way fees had increased from seven in December 2024 to 12.
The commission also said investors and development finance institutions should provide long-term naira financing that matches the 20-to-30-year lifespan of digital infrastructure.
It added that stakeholders had agreed to secure funding within six months for community-owned, renewable-powered rural networks in areas with no connectivity, while various regulatory and financing frameworks are expected to be developed within the next six to 24 months.