Lagos nears final stage of 6,000 km fibre rollout

Nigeria’s commercial capital, Lagos, is approaching the final phase of its 6,000-kilometre fibre optic deployment, a key initiative aimed at boosting internet connectivity, strengthening digital infrastructure, and supporting the city’s burgeoning innovation ecosystem.

The Lagos State Unified Duct Infrastructure Project, launched in 2020 under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s smart-city strategy, is designed to unify cable networks across the state. The rollout has been executed in phases, with the first 2,700 kilometres of fibre completed between 2020 and 2022.

“We are laying 6,000 kilometres of fibre optic cable to boost internet connectivity across the state. This will enhance access to digital services, support startups, and strengthen our innovation ecosystem,” Deputy Governor Dr. Femi Hamzat told The PUNCH on Monday.

The executive, accompanied by the Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Tumbosun Alake, discussed the project while attending GITEX Global 2025 in Dubai. The event, which features over 6,000 exhibitors from 170 countries, highlights innovations in artificial intelligence, mobility, fintech, and sustainability.

Investors and technology companies have increasingly turned their attention to Lagos, Africa’s largest city by population, as improved digital infrastructure is expected to catalyse growth in fintech, e-commerce, and other tech-driven sectors.

“Our goal is to continue building capacity and ensuring that Lagos remains at the forefront of technological development in Africa. I’m confident that in the coming months, it will be completed because over 90 per cent coverage has been achieved,” Hamzat said.

The LASG-UDIP project, once completed, is expected to provide a solid backbone for Lagos’ digital economy, facilitate the growth of startups, improve service delivery, and attract more global investments, reinforcing the state’s position as a leading technology hub in Africa.

The StartupBlink Ecosystem Index reports Lagos startups received over $293.35 m in total funding in 2025, tying this to a 14.7 per cent ecosystem growth rate from the previous year.

It outperformed other Nigerian cities by a wide margin, holding a dominant share of Nigeria’s startup capital inflow and ranking as Africa’s headline startup ecosystem.

Fintech, logistics, food delivery, and enterprise solutions sectors accounted for the bulk of investments, with fintech alone hosting over 500 ventures and major funding deals.

“It’s exciting to see so many startups emerging, developing solutions, and attracting global attention. We’re also seeing increasing collaboration between innovators, educators, and advocates from various countries, from China to Bangladesh and beyond. This cross-border engagement is helping to expand our collective capacity.”

Commenting on the ongoing event in Dubai, the Deputy Governor said, “We’ve seen a lot of creativity here today, from design thinking to research communities, showing that innovation is thriving across different sectors.”

“In most developed nations, technology is central to their progress. If we want to compete globally, we must also leverage innovation to create opportunities and improve lives. This kind of event gives us a chance to measure ourselves against top companies and countries and to learn from their experiences,” he added.(punch)