The World Bank has revealed plans to roll out a significant digital broadband access project across the country, in collaboration with the Federal Government.
Speaking during a courtesy visit to President Bola Tinubu in Abuja on Wednesday, Anshula Kant, Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer of the World Bank Group, said the broadband initiative is one of the institution’s “biggest forthcoming projects” in Nigeria.
“We have a very large programme with Nigeria and are working closely with the government to deliver impactful projects,” Kant said. “One of the biggest forthcoming projects will be in the digital space, providing broadband access across the country.”
She noted that the Bank’s engagement in Nigeria spans across key sectors, including agribusiness, energy, social protection, education, and health, all aligned with the administration’s focus on youth employment, infrastructure development, and economic reform.
Kant was accompanied by senior World Bank officials, including Mayank Goyal, Advisor to the World Bank Group; Taimur Samad, Country Manager for Nigeria; as well as Nigeria’s Finance Minister Wale Edun, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Bosun Tijani, and Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila.
Kant emphasized the strong alignment between the World Bank’s mission and Nigeria’s current priorities.
“Today, the World Bank Group is on a mission to eradicate poverty on a livable planet. What does that mean? It means accelerated growth and better jobs for young people. And for that, we must build enabling environments: energy access, digital services, agricultural productivity, better healthcare, and education.”
She stressed that sustainable growth requires equal investment in both physical infrastructure and human capital. The World Bank remains committed to supporting both tracks to help Nigeria achieve faster growth, job creation, and inclusive development.
Kant also praised President Tinubu’s administration for taking bold macroeconomic steps, saying the World Bank has already begun to see positive results from recent reforms.
