The British Government, through the Prosperity Fund’s Digital Access Programme, is collaborating with the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy to draft a new National Broadband Development Plan for the next six years.

This is coming almost one year after the expiration of the previous National Broadband Plan (2013 -2018), which lapsed on the December 31, 2018, a statement on Sunday said.

The project, according to the partners, will require a variety of technical expertise for the drafting of the plan, conducting outreach activities and facilitating of technical retreats and related events for stakeholder engagement.

These activities will generate essential inputs for the process of drafting a robust plan that will be implementable and will usher in broad economic development.

Speaking during the Letter of Intent signing at the Federal Ministry of Communications in Abuja, the British Deputy High Commissioner, Ms Harriet Thompson, said “This project contributes to the UK Government’s Prosperity Fund objective of promoting inclusive, affordable, accessible, safe and secure Internet access for the socio-economic development of underserved communities in Nigeria.”

The Head of the UK Government’s Digital Access Programme, Mr Idongesit Udoh, said, “The new broadband plan is expected to raise the broadband penetration level in Nigeria to between 65 per cent to 66 per cent over the next six years. It will provide national leadership and strategic sectorial direction for country-wide broadband connectivity and provide a basis for a more thriving digital ecosystem and inclusive economic development.”

The project, according to the statement, is expected to be concluded by the March 31, 2020.

The Minister for Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami, welcomed the partnership and expressed appreciation for the UK Government’s support in growing the Nigeria’s tech ecosystem, which would in turn grow the Nigerian economy.

Patanmi said the tech sector in Nigeria was adding more to the Nigerian economy and expressed optimism that the new broadband plan when developed and implemented, would promote inclusive economic growth for the country.