Katsina State has introduced an formidable plan to realize 70% broadband penetration and lay 2,000 kilometres of fibre optic community by 2030, as a part of its ongoing digital transformation agenda.
This was disclosed by the Government Governor of Katsina State, Dikko Umaru Radda (Ph.D., CON), in an announcement shared through his official X deal with, following his participation on the Enterprise Roundtable on Enhancing Funding in Broadband Connectivity and Safeguarding Vital Digital Infrastructure held in Abuja.
Governor Radda reaffirmed Katsina State’s dedication to driving inclusive digital improvement and strengthening digital governance.
“Our imaginative and prescient is to realize 70% broadband penetration and lay at the least 2,000km of fiber optic community throughout Katsina by 2030, making certain that each rural and concrete communities are absolutely linked,” he stated
He described broadband connectivity as important to trendy governance and sustainable improvement.
“Broadband is now not a luxurious; it’s a lifeline of recent governance, safety, schooling, healthcare, and financial progress,” he added
Digital reforms carried out
Governor Radda highlighted a collection of reforms already undertaken by his administration to advertise ICT adoption, transparency, and accountability.
“Since inception, our administration has taken daring steps, from establishing a devoted Directorate of ICT to drive technology-led reforms, to waiving Proper-of-Manner expenses that entice personal funding in broadband growth, and introducing ICT-driven governance techniques such because the Treasury Single Account (TSA), e-Authorities providers, and land administration reforms, all geared toward strengthening accountability, transparency, and effectivity in governance.”
These measures, based on him, are designed to create a beneficial setting for personal sector participation and speed up infrastructure deployment throughout the state.
$8 Million World Bank Credit score
Governor Radda additionally disclosed that Katsina State had been awarded an $8 million credit score underneath the World Bank-supported State Motion on Enterprise Enabling Reforms (SABER) Programme in recognition of its ICT-driven reforms and efforts to enhance the benefit of doing enterprise.
“I’m additionally delighted to share that Katsina State has been awarded an $8m credit score underneath the World Bank–supported State Motion on Enterprise Enabling Reforms (SABER) Programme, in recognition of our ICT-led reforms and business-enabling setting.”
He stated the funding displays investor confidence within the state’s governance mannequin and underscores the federal government’s dedication to constructing a clear and technology-driven financial system.
“This achievement displays our seriousness about digital governance, investor confidence, and transparency.”
Governor Radda famous that Katsina’s present progress demonstrates its rising position as a regional chief in digital innovation.
“With these milestones, Katsina is positioning itself as a number one hub for digital progress and innovation in Northern Nigeria,” he stated
He emphasised that collaboration with federal and improvement companions stays central to reaching the state’s digital agenda.
What you must know
The digital panorama in Nigeria has skilled regular progress in recent times, largely pushed by improved telecommunications infrastructure, inexpensive cellular units, and rising digital consciousness amongst residents.
Katsina ranked among the many high 10 states with the very best variety of web customers, recording about 4.6 million lively customers. Nairametrics famous that this displays the growth of digital connectivity past main city facilities.
Katsina’s progress in digital entry will not be new. In 2020, the state recorded a 41.46% leap within the variety of cellular web subscribers, the quickest in Nigeria on the time. The rise took the variety of subscribers from 2.6 million in Q1 2019 to three.679 million in Q1 2020.
Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economic system, Dr. Bosun Tijani, lately introduced a $2 billion broadband challenge geared toward increasing connectivity nationwide and positioning Nigeria as Africa’s subsequent international expertise hub.
Tijani stated the challenge will ship common broadband protection throughout all 774 native authorities areas inside three years. He additionally famous that improved rural connectivity might add $25 billion yearly to Nigeria’s agricultural output and assist diversify the financial system.
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