Niger has dramatically expanded its digital horizons, completing a crucial phase in the Trans-Sahara Optical Fibre Backbone Project. This ambitious undertaking, fueled by a $50 million investment, promises to reshape the nation’s connectivity and its place within the wider African digital landscape.
The project centers around a 1,031-kilometer network of fibre-optic cables, strategically laid across five vital routes. These arteries of information will connect Arlit-Assamaka to Algeria, Diffa to N’Guigmi and Chad, Zinder to Magaria and Nigeria, Niamey to Dosso, Gaya and Benin, and finally, Niamey to Makalondi and Burkina Faso.
Beyond these long-distance connections, an 88-kilometer urban loop is being constructed. This local network will directly link key government buildings to a state-of-the-art national data centre, ensuring secure and rapid data exchange for critical administrative functions.
The completion of this phase was formally acknowledged in a ceremony in Niamey, attended by government officials and representatives from the African Development Bank Group, the project’s primary financier. The atmosphere was charged with a sense of accomplishment and a clear vision for the future.
Minister of Communication and New Information Technologies, Adji Ali Salatou, emphasized that this project directly fulfills the President’s commitment to a digitally empowered Niger. The goal is to establish a high-speed telecommunications network accessible throughout the region, opening doors to the information age.
The impact extends far beyond faster internet speeds. Officials highlighted the project’s potential to strengthen regional ties with neighboring countries – Algeria, Niger, Nigeria, Chad, Mali, and Mauritania – and significantly reduce the cost of connectivity for individuals, businesses, and government agencies.
This improved infrastructure is expected to bolster Niger’s digital resilience, accelerate the modernization of public services, and, crucially, unlock new economic opportunities for the nation’s youth. The promise of a digitally connected future is a powerful catalyst for growth and innovation.
Project Coordinator Abdoulkarim Soumaila underscored the project’s role in bridging the digital divide, lowering connectivity barriers, and fostering the growth of essential digital services like e-commerce, mobile banking, and online government platforms. Local employment was also significantly boosted during the construction phase.
The fibre-optic network isn’t simply a technological upgrade; it’s a foundation for a new era in Niger. As one representative stated, it’s “the beginning of a new chapter for digital technology,” and a call to action to utilize this infrastructure effectively for the benefit of all citizens.
The African Development Bank’s commitment to Niger extends beyond this project, with a current portfolio exceeding $1 billion invested in vital sectors including energy, transport, water, agriculture, and social programs. The Trans-Sahara project exemplifies this dedication to inclusive, sustainable, and innovation-driven growth.
