IHS Towers, Africa’s largest tower company, and WIOCC, a global telecom infrastructure provider, are currently in discussions with the Lagos State Government to complete a 6,000km fiber duct project, with plans to expand it to 36,000km. This ambitious project, originally started in 2020, is aimed at transforming Lagos into a digitally connected metropolis.
Despite initial progress by Western Telecoms and Engineering Services Limited, which laid 2,700km of fiber ducts, the project stalled due to contractual disputes with the Lagos State Government. Western Telecoms had connected over 1,000 base stations for major operators like MTN and Airtel, but the overall project missed its 2023 deadline
To revive and scale the initiative, IHS Towers and WIOCC have stepped in, leveraging their extensive telecom infrastructure experience. IHS Towers, known for its expertise in fiber deployment across Nigeria, aims to bring this knowledge to bear in Lagos to create a reliable, secure, and expansive fiber network. WIOCC, a key player in global telecommunications infrastructure, is set to support the financial and technical expansion of the project.
Lagos’ “Dig-Once” policy, introduced in 2020, plays a central role in this infrastructure overhaul. The policy encourages strategic long-term planning by installing durable fiber ducts during road construction to prevent frequent disruptions from roadwork and vandalism. This approach is critical for boosting internet reliability, especially in a state known for its tech ecosystem of over 500 startups and multiple multinational headquarters(
The project, funded initially at $200 million by Fidelity Bank and other financial institutions, is vital for Lagos’ economic growth. As internet penetration continues to lag with only 7,864.50 km of the required 36,000 km of fiber deployed, high-speed internet remains out of reach for many in Lagos.