Nigeria’s appetite for internet data is rising sharply, with consumption climbing by nearly 47 percent to 1.6 million terabytes in July 2026, according to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
The figure reflects the rapid expansion of digital activity in the country, but the NCC says the growth is putting increasing pressure on existing telecommunications infrastructure.
The commission disclosed the development in a communiqué issued after the Nigeria Digital Connectivity Investment Forum 2026, held in Abuja on September 29 and 30.
The NCC said the demand for connectivity is expected to accelerate in the coming years, with telecommunications subscriptions projected to increase from about 195 million to 350 million within the next 10 to 15 years.
It warned that emerging technologies, particularly cloud computing and artificial intelligence, would place additional demands on telecommunications networks, data centres and electricity supply.
The growing importance of the sector is also reflected in its contribution to the economy. Telecommunications and information services accounted for 9.72 percent of Nigeria’s real GDP in the second quarter of 2026, the commission said.
However, the NCC identified inadequate electricity supply and weak middle-mile connectivity as major challenges threatening further expansion of digital infrastructure.
While mobile broadband coverage has reached approximately 90 percent of the population, broadband penetration remains at 57.4 percent, below the national target of 70 percent. Smartphone ownership is also estimated at only about 27 percent.
The commission said expanding network coverage alone would not be sufficient to achieve broader digital inclusion, citing the high cost of devices, inadequate digital skills and lack of trust as significant barriers to adoption.
Stakeholders at the forum therefore called for faster implementation of Project BRIDGE, the proposed 90,000-kilometre national fibre backbone, to address gaps in middle-mile infrastructure.
They also urged the government to improve electricity supply to telecom facilities, ensure policy consistency and develop financing mechanisms capable of reducing the cost of capital for digital infrastructure projects.
State governments were similarly encouraged to reduce and harmonise right-of-way charges and simplify the approval process for telecom infrastructure.
According to the NCC, reforms in 12 states have already produced fibre deployment increases ranging from 22 percent to 95 percent, while the number of states charging zero right-of-way fees has risen from seven in December 2024 to 12.
The commission said digital infrastructure typically has an asset life of 20 to 30 years, making long-term financing critical to the sustainability of investments in the sector.
Participants consequently called on investors and development finance institutions to provide long-tenor naira financing, alongside blended financing and credit enhancement for projects that are not yet commercially viable.
The forum also agreed to pursue funding within six months for community-owned, renewable-powered rural networks in areas without connectivity, with the Universal Service Provision Fund, state governments and the Rural Electrification Agency expected to participate.
The NCC said additional measures covering open-access regulation, broadband mapping, wholesale pricing and telecommunications power financing would be pursued over periods ranging from six to 24 months.