Minister Praises Tinubu For BCN–Equatorial Guinea Digital Infrastructure Deal
By Alice Etuka, Abuja
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has commended President Bola Tinubu Backbone Connectivity Network Nigeria Ltd (BCN) for facilitating the BCN–Equatorial Guinea Digital Infrastructure Deal during an official visit to the country in August 2024.
The Minister’s Spokesperson, Alkasim Abdulkadir in a statement on Saturday noted that this was in line with the President’s sustained effort to stimulate growth, support Nigerian businesses and also strengthen investor confidence in the national economy.
Abdulkadir disclosed that the minister spoke during the signing of an agreement in Malabo for the development of telecommunications infrastructure to service Equatorial Guinea. The project centres on a subsea fibre-optic cable designed to boost broadband capacity, digital communications, and cybersecurity cooperation across the region.
According to Tuggar, the initiative builds directly on President Tinubu’s official visit to Equatorial Guinea in August 2024, during which several bilateral agreements were concluded. He noted that the new telecommunications project represents a practical outcome of those engagements, aimed at deepening economic connectivity across Africa.
The agreement on principles was signed by Alh. Ibrahim Dikko on behalf of Backbone Connectivity Network Nigeria Ltd (BNC), while Equatorial Guinea’s Minister of Transport, Telecommunications and Artificial Intelligence Systems, Honorato Evita Oma, signed for his government. BNC is expected to play a major role in expanding digital infrastructure, strengthening connectivity, and enhancing cybersecurity capabilities.
The signing ceremony was supervised by Equatorial Guinea’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Business Promotion and Industry, Gaudencio Mohaba Messu. It was witnessed by Ambassador Tuggar; Equatorial Guinea’s Foreign Minister, Simeón Oyono Esono Angüe; and senior officials from both countries.
President Tinubu’s 2024 visit to Malabo was aimed at broadening Nigeria–Central Africa economic engagement while reinforcing Africa-led solutions in development cooperation. Officials say the new digital infrastructure project reflects growing momentum in regional economic integration and technology-driven development across the continent.
