Nigeria is actively pursuing a comprehensive strategy to bridge its digital divide by integrating electricity access with internet connectivity. This initiative stems from a high-level convening in Abuja, titled “Flagship Nigeria: Electrification + Connectivity Site Visit & Convening,” which brought together public and private sector stakeholders to align investments in critical areas such as electricity, connectivity, affordable devices, and digital skills.

Organized by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy in collaboration with the Partnership for Digital Access in Africa (PDAA), the event aimed to explore how coordinated infrastructure development can significantly expand access to digital services, particularly in underserved communities. The broader objective is to support vital sectors like agriculture and health, while simultaneously creating pathways for wider participation in the burgeoning digital economy.

Dr. Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, emphasized during the opening session that true digital inclusion extends beyond mere broadband coverage. He stated, “Digital inclusion is not just about connectivity; it is about ensuring that Nigerians have the power, devices, skills, and support needed to meaningfully participate in the digital economy.” The Minister highlighted government initiatives, including Flagship Nigeria and the 3 Million Technical Talent programme, as key to integrating electricity supply, affordable connectivity, and skills development.

This integrated approach is a direct response to the growing recognition that internet access alone is often insufficient in communities plagued by unreliable electricity and where digital devices remain prohibitively expensive. In many rural and peri-urban areas, limited power supply significantly restricts the effective use of digital tools for education, commerce, and public services, thereby hindering socio-economic progress.

Ibrahima Guimba-Saidou, the Chief Executive Officer of PDAA, articulated the partnership’s focus on translating policy commitments into scalable, practical systems. He underscored PDAA’s belief that electricity must be considered a foundational digital infrastructure, devices must be affordable at scale, skills must be relevant to livelihoods, and progress must be rigorously measured. Guimba-Saidou noted that Flagship Nigeria is designed to move beyond discussions to concrete implementation, blending public and private capital and prioritizing last-mile communities. Partners are actively working towards agreeing on a pilot programme for immediate implementation, ensuring action beyond consultations and policy statements.

The convening facilitated discussions among senior government officials, development finance institutions, private sector companies, and philanthropic organizations. Participants focused on coordinating funding, infrastructure rollout, and skills programmes to prevent investment gaps in one area from undermining progress in another. Organizers indicated that the outcomes of this meeting will inform the next phase of Nigeria’s digital inclusion efforts, including the expansion of affordable services and the establishment of stronger public-private partnerships. Lessons gleaned from site visits and stakeholder sessions are also slated to refine future implementation strategies.

Despite the strategic direction, the press release did not provide specific details on timelines, budget allocations, or the exact locations for the proposed pilot projects. It also lacked specifics on how progress will be monitored or the criteria for selecting communities for early interventions. Nigeria has previously launched several initiatives to boost broadband penetration and improve digital skills, which have enhanced coverage in major cities but left significant gaps in rural areas due due to high infrastructure costs and limited private investment.

The newly proposed integrated electrification and connectivity model is specifically designed to address these structural challenges by reducing fragmentation in infrastructure planning. Strengthening coordination among power providers, telecom operators, device manufacturers, and training institutions is deemed critical for achieving long-term impact. Without such alignment, communities risk receiving connectivity without the necessary power, or training without access to functional digital tools, thereby impeding genuine digital inclusion.