Private investments to be sought for groundbreaking BRIDGE Digital Infrastructure Project in Nigeria
Nigeria's BRIDGE Project Seeks Consulting Firms for Transaction Advisor Role
The Federal Government of Nigeria is inviting Expressions of Interest from consulting firms for the 'Building Resilient Digital Infrastructure for Growth - BRIDGE' project. This ambitious initiative aims to establish an extensive fibre optic network across Nigeria, with the goal of growing the country's digital economy.
Project Overview
The BRIDGE project, announced in October 2024, is a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) that involves the construction of a large fibre optic network across Nigeria. The project is part of a digital infrastructure strategy to improve broadband and digital literacy, targeting significant expansion by 2027. The government is investing ₦3.068 trillion (~$2 billion), covering 49% of funding, while the remaining 51% comes from the private sector.
Transaction Advisor Role
The Transaction Advisor's core responsibility is to facilitate the engagement of private sector investors for the BRIDGE project. The advisory assignment is anticipated to last for six months. Consultants must have specialized expertise in telecommunications, broadband, and fibre optic network projects.
While explicit details about the application process for consulting firms to become Transaction Advisors for Project BRIDGE are not publicly detailed, such advisory roles typically involve demonstrating expertise in PPP project structuring, telecommunications infrastructure, and financial advisory. Consultants must also comply with Nigerian government procurement and tender procedures, likely involving registration on relevant procurement portals and submission of technical and financial proposals.
Key Requirements
Interested consulting firms must have a minimum of 10 years of experience in infrastructure projects, including at least 5 years specifically in PPPs. They must also possess a proven track record in financial structuring, modeling, and negotiating project finance documents. Firms have the option to associate with other entities to strengthen their qualifications, provided they clearly state whether the collaboration is a joint venture or a sub-consultancy.
In the case of a joint venture, all partners will bear joint and several liability for the entire contract if selected. The Transaction Advisor will design the transaction structure, value contributions from potential partners, determine equity allocations within the SPV, and draft, review, negotiate, and finalize all essential financial and commercial project documentation.
Application Process
Expressions of Interest must be submitted by August 14, 2025, either via email or in person at the Ministry's address during specified office hours. Prospective consultants must familiarize themselves with the World Bank's "Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers" (February 2025).
Consulting firms interested in the Transaction Advisor role should monitor official announcements and tender opportunities from Nigeria’s Ministry of Communications, the Federal Ministry of Digital Economy, or the project’s designated implementation entity. They may also benefit from engaging early with multilateral partners like the World Bank, who are involved in stakeholder engagements for Project BRIDGE.
The BRIDGE project is being executed through a dedicated Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) company, and the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy of Nigeria is responsible for the project. The World Bank is partially funding an initiative to establish a 90,000-kilometer fibre optic network across Nigeria.
Stay connected with official government channels for updates on the application process and requirements for the Transaction Advisor role. The project is in active development with the fiber network rollout planned over the next several years.
- The Transaction Advisor for Nigeria's BRIDGE project will be tasked with attracting private sector investors and must demonstrate expertise in PPP project structuring, telecommunications infrastructure, and financial advisory to meet the project's general-news requirements.
- Interested consulting firms, with a minimum of 10 years of experience in infrastructure projects and at least 5 years specifically in PPPs, need to submit their Expressions of Interest by August 14, 2025, as part of the project's finance and business strategy to expand Nigeria's digital economy.
