£15M EU-ITU Tech Projects Launched For Nigeria And 10 Sub-Saharan African Nations

According to Ireporter Online, Nigeria is among 11 sub-Saharan African countries benefiting from a £15 million investment in ICT, digital infrastructure, and broadband projects. The announcement was made over the weekend in Abuja by a delegation from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

The delegation also revealed that Nigeria is participating in a global cybersecurity drill involving 136 countries, organised by the ITU in partnership with the United Arab Emirates.

During a meeting with the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Malam Kashifu Inuwa, the ITU delegation praised Nigeria’s efforts toward digitalisation and inclusive technology adoption. The delegation was led by Dr. Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau, and accompanied by ITU Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Emmanuel Manasseh.

Dr. Zavazava highlighted that the digital infrastructure and broadband investments in sub-Saharan Africa will focus on enhancing digital skills, mapping and modelling infrastructure, and accelerating the growth of the digital economy across the region. He emphasised that the ITU’s mandate includes bridging the digital divide, supporting inclusive ICT development, strengthening regulatory frameworks, and helping member states build resilient digital infrastructure.

The delegation noted that these priorities align closely with Nigeria’s digital transformation goals. The ITU operates across 194 member states through regional offices, including those in Dakar, Senegal, and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Ongoing collaborations with Nigeria include digital skills development, broadband infrastructure mapping, and cybersecurity initiatives designed to boost the country’s digital economy. The delegation was received by Dr. Warowei Dimie, Director of Corporate Planning and Strategy at NITDA, alongside other agency directors.

The meeting provided a platform for strategic discussions on digital development challenges facing Nigeria, Africa, and other developing regions, with an emphasis on inclusive and sustainable ICT growth. Dr. Dimie reaffirmed NITDA’s commitment to leveraging ITU’s global expertise to implement best practices locally.

Discussions highlighted Nigeria’s ambition to achieve 70 per cent digital literacy nationwide by next year. The adoption of the National Digital Literacy Framework was cited as a key milestone, offering a structured approach to skills development. Participants also acknowledged the persistent connectivity gaps in rural areas, emphasising targeted interventions such as grassroots digital training and deploying NYSC members as digital literacy ambassadors.