NCC Seeks Infrastructure Investment As Data Demand Surges 47%

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has called for increased investment in digital infrastructure as Nigeria’s data consumption surged by nearly 47 per cent in the 12 months to July 2026.

The call was contained in a communiqué issued at the conclusion of the two-day Nigeria Digital Connectivity Investment Forum 2026 held in Abuja.

The forum, which had the theme, “Unlocking Infrastructure Investment through Data, Transparency and Partnerships,” brought together government representatives, investors, development finance institutions, telecommunications operators, infrastructure providers, equipment manufacturers and other stakeholders in the digital ecosystem.

According to the communiqué, Nigeria’s data consumption rose to approximately 1.6 million terabytes in July 2026, representing an almost 47 per cent increase over the preceding 12 months.

It also projected that mobile subscriptions could rise from about 195 million currently to 350 million within the next 10 to 15 years, further increasing pressure on the country’s digital infrastructure.

The stakeholders said the rising demand for digital services made greater investment in broadband, fibre networks and reliable electricity supply necessary to sustain the country’s digital economy.

The telecommunications sector contributed 9.72 per cent to Nigeria’s real Gross Domestic Product in the second quarter of 2026, underscoring its growing importance to economic activity.

However, the forum identified persistent gaps in digital access despite the expansion of mobile coverage.

While mobile broadband is available to about 90 per cent of the population, smartphone ownership remains at an estimated 27 per cent, while broadband penetration stands at 57.4 per cent, below the government’s 70 per cent target.

Stakeholders attributed the slow pace of digital inclusion to high device costs, inadequate digital skills, unreliable electricity supply, insufficient middle-mile infrastructure and limited access to financing.

They therefore called for faster implementation of Project BRIDGE, which is designed to deliver a 90,000-kilometre national fibre backbone.

The stakeholders also urged the Federal Government to improve electricity supply to digital infrastructure and maintain policies capable of attracting and sustaining private sector investment.

The NCC was encouraged to deepen its regulatory reforms by publishing the first Nigeria Digital Connectivity Index, strengthening open access regulations and finalising the regulatory framework for direct-to-device services.

State governments were also urged to reduce Right