Nigeria Becomes First African Country to Launch ITU-Led Africa-BB-Maps Initiative

Nigeria has taken a bold step in driving Africa’s digital development by becoming the first country among 11 participating African nations to kick off the Africa-BB-Maps initiative—an ambitious broadband infrastructure mapping project spearheaded by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) flagged off the national event on Monday in Abuja, officially launching the country’s participation in the multi-country programme. The initiative aims to map, plan, and improve broadband infrastructure to enhance digital inclusion across the continent.

Held at the Transcorp Hilton, the Day 1 session brought together key stakeholders from government agencies, telecom operators, tech firms, and international development organisations. Conversations focused on how to develop a coordinated approach to broadband infrastructure data collection, planning, and regulatory harmonisation.

In his opening remarks, NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman, Dr. Aminu Maida, described the project as a critical step toward achieving Nigeria’s National Broadband Plan targets.

“We are honoured to lead this initiative in Africa. Accurate and coordinated broadband mapping is essential to delivering digital services to every Nigerian, regardless of location,” he stated.

The Africa-BB-Maps initiative is expected to help countries like Nigeria identify underserved and unserved areas, align network investments, and support more informed policy decisions. The ITU team praised Nigeria’s commitment and noted that the country’s leadership sets an important precedent for other African nations.

According to the ITU, the ultimate goal of the project is to support evidence-based planning, attract investment, and accelerate the expansion of broadband access across the continent—especially in rural and remote regions.

As sessions continue throughout the week, participants will work on crafting a national roadmap for broadband infrastructure deployment, guided by data and global best practices.

With this launch, Nigeria strengthens its role as a digital leader in Africa, driving inclusive growth and connectivity in alignment with the global push for universal broadband access.