Nigeria, Chad Explore Cross-Border Fibre Link
The two countries signed a joint Expression of Interest to pursue an open-access fibre-optic connection, seeking World Bank support.
Updated on Nov. 15, 2026 in Telecommunications
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Nigeria and Chad signed a joint Expression of Interest on the sidelines of the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2026 in Doha to explore a cross-border fibre-optic connectivity project. The joint letter, signed by ministers from both countries, is addressed to the World Bank.
Why it matters
The proposed Nigeria-Chad Fibre Link aims to strengthen regional digital infrastructure and improve network resilience. The initiative is intended to create opportunities for more affordable broadband services across the two nations.
The source contains no capacity, cost or performance figures for the project, so the agreement rests on a request for technical assessment rather than measured specifications. The World Bank's review of feasibility, routes and financing has not yet begun and no funding commitment has been reported.
The players
Bosun Tijani
Bosun Tijani is Nigeria's Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, who signed the joint letter for Nigeria.
Haliki Choua Mahamat
Haliki Choua Mahamat is Chad's Minister of Telecommunications, Digital Economy and Digitalisation, who signed the joint letter for Chad.
World Bank
The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans and technical assistance to developing countries, and is the addressee of the joint letter.
The details
The joint letter asks the World Bank to help assess technical feasibility, fibre routes, interconnection options and financing arrangements. The proposed project builds on Nigeria's Project BRIDGE and Chad's Project CARDIP, and discussions began during a September 2026 working visit by Nigeria's minister to N'Djamena.
Timeline
September 2026: Nigeria's minister visits N'Djamena, starting discussions on the link.
November 9 to 27, 2026: ITU PP-26 conference is held in Doha, Qatar.
November 15, 2026: Nigeria and Chad sign the joint Expression of Interest.
Big Picture
The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2026 in Doha, placing a bilateral African fibre initiative within the international telecommunications forum's current cycle. It extends that conference's focus on cross-border connectivity into a concrete request for World Bank financing.
The link is still at the assessment stage, so no change to broadband prices or service is available to users yet. Any future affordability gains depend on the feasibility study and financing that the World Bank has yet to consider.
The takeaway
Cross-border fibre projects move slowly from intent to funded build, so the feasibility and financing stages will determine whether the promised affordability gains materialize. Readers should watch for World Bank responses to the joint request.
Further reading
Explore more on Telecommunications developments across Africa and beyond.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Peninsula.
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