{
  "id": 1592491,
  "title": "Nigeria explores fibre expansion to slash Burkina Faso costs",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/nigeria-explores-fibre-expansion-to-slash-burkina-faso-costs",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-08-18T00:00:57.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/nigeria-explores-fibre-expansion-to-slash-burkina-faso-costs/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Nigeria is considering the expansion of its fibre infrastructure to Nigeria, Niger, and Burkina Faso, aiming to significantly reduce the cost of internet connectivity in landlocked Burkina Faso. Nigeria, Africa's largest telecom market, seeks to leverage its growing fibre network to improve digital cooperation across the wider West African and Sahel regions. Nigeria's Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, revealed that the two countries will explore two potential connectivity corridors, one through Niger and the other through Benin. If successful, this initiative could potentially cut internet costs in Burkina Faso by up to 50%, benefiting a country of around 25 million people. The proposal is part of Nigeria's Project BRIDGE, which aims to expand its open-access fibre infrastructure across the country. The talks also cover digital skills development, technology startups, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and research, demonstrating Nigeria's broader digital engagement strategy with neighboring nations.",
  "summary": "Nigeria is exploring new fibre routes through Niger and Benin to reduce internet costs in landlocked Burkina Faso by up to 50%. Discover how Nigeria’s digi Read More: https://punchng.com/nigeria-explores-fibre-expansion-to-slash-burkina-faso-costs/",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "Nigeria explores fibre expansion to slash Burkina Faso costs",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/nigeria-explores-fibre-expansion-to-slash-burkina-faso-costs",
        "published": "2026-08-17T23:46:50.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}