ITU Raises $82bn to Bridge Digital Divide in Nigeria, Others
The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) announced it has raised over $82 billion under its Partner2Connect (P2C) Digital Coalition to expand internet connectivity in Nigeria and other parts of the world.
Launched in 2021, P2C serves as a mobilization platform rallying governments, private sector, and civil society to support digital inclusion projects, especially in remote communities.
ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin made the announcement at Mobile World Congress 2026, noting that 2.2 billion people remain offline.
“Today’s milestone shows what’s possible when we pool our collective resources towards making connectivity universal and meaningful,” she said.
The initiative is on track to meet its $100 billion target by the end of 2026. Recent pledges include Mobily’s $1.715 billion investment in data centers, submarine cables, and 5G infrastructure, and Ooredoo Group’s $500 million investment in optical fibre networks across the MENA region.
These commitments directly support ITU’s goal of ensuring affordable, reliable internet access and digital skills for all. Since inception, P2C has secured over 1,000 pledges from 149 countries, covering infrastructure, policy modernization, and capacity-building.
By aligning existing projects with new ones, P2C enables governments, companies, and NGOs to showcase contributions and track progress toward universal connectivity.
ITU estimates that achieving meaningful global connectivity by 2030 could require $2.6–$2.8 trillion.
The agency urged both public and private sectors to scale up commitments to connect the quarter of the world’s population still unconnected.
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