ITU: NCC’s Africa-BB-Maps initiative gives Nigeria leading position

Nigeria has taken the lead in a bold continental leap toward digital inclusion, becoming the first African country to launch the Africa-BB-Maps initiative—an ambitious broadband infrastructure mapping project led by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

The milestone event, spearheaded by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), took place on Monday at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, marking the official kick-off of Nigeria’s participation in the 11-nation programme.

Designed to map and improve broadband infrastructure across Africa, the Africa-BB-Maps initiative aims to bridge the digital divide by enabling smarter data-driven planning, targeted investments, and harmonised regulations across borders.

Day 1 of the national launch drew a cross-section of key stakeholders—government agencies, telecom operators, technology innovators, and international development partners. Discussions centred on building a unified framework for broadband data collection, infrastructure mapping, and collaborative policy formulation.

By stepping forward as the first mover, Nigeria is not just setting the pace for other African nations—it is positioning itself as a digital infrastructure leader on the continent.

On the basis of this however, at the national flag-off in Abuja, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, hailed the initiative as a vital catalyst for meeting the country’s National Broadband Plan targets.

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

The Africa-BB-Maps project aims to identify unserved and underserved communities, enable smarter infrastructure investments, and empower policy makers with data-driven insights. By focusing on these gaps, the initiative will pave the way for a more inclusive and connected Nigeria.

The ITU applauded Nigeria’s pioneering efforts, calling its commitment a beacon for other African nations striving for digital inclusion. The ultimate goal: to foster evidence-based broadband planning, attract investment, and drive connectivity—especially to remote and rural areas long left behind.

As workshops roll out during the week, stakeholders will collaborate to develop a national roadmap for broadband deployment, anchored on global best practices and local realities.

With this move, Nigeria reaffirms its leadership in Africa’s digital future—boldly aligning with the global push to make universal broadband access a reality.

Businesshilights