ITU raises over $82b cash to bridge digital divide in Nigeria, others
International Telecommunications Union (ITU) yesterday said it has raised over $82billion under its Partner2Connect (P2C) Digital Coalition to expand internet connectivity in Nigeria and other parts of the world in
International Telecommunications Union (ITU) yesterday said it has raised over $82billion under its Partner2Connect (P2C) Digital Coalition to expand internet connectivity in Nigeria and other parts of the world in an effort to bridge the digital divide.
ITU, the UN agency for digital technologies, launched P2C in 2021, to serv as a mobilization platform to rally commitments from governments, the private sector, and civil society for projects and investments that support connectivity and digital inclusion – particularly in the world’s most remote communities.
ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin made the announcement at Mobile World Congress 2026, against a backdrop of 2.2 billion people remaining offline, missing out on opportunities afforded by digital technologies, from education and healthcare to entrepreneurship and artificial intelligence.
With P2C pledges steadily growing, the initiative is firmly on track to meet its $100 billion target by the end of 2026.
“Today’s milestone shows what’s possible when we pool our collective resources towards making connectivity universal and meaningful. Reaching $82 billion in pledges through Partner2Connect means unlocking life-changing opportunities for hundreds of millions of people that are still offline,” Bogdan-Martin said.
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The pledges announced at MWC 2026 include: Mobily: A $1.715 billion investment in data centers, submarine cables, and 5G and next-generation network infrastructure. Mobily reaffirms its commitment to supporting inclusive global connectivity in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030 aspirations towards becoming a hub connecting east with west. Through its investment, Mobily aims at scaling Saudi Arabia’s AI and cloud computing capabilities, enabling competitive, resilient, and future-ready national development and meaningful global collaboration; and Ooredoo Group: A $500 million investment in submarine and terrestrial optical fibre infrastructure, aiming to expand high-capacity connectivity across the MENA region, strengthening regional and international digital links and supporting inclusive economic growth through resilient, future-ready network infrastructure.
These commitments directly support ITU’s goal of achieving universal, meaningful connectivity — ensuring everyone has access to affordable, reliable Internet and the skills to use it safely and effectively.
Since its inception, the P2C Digital Coalition has secured over 1,000 pledges from 149 countries, featuring investments in digital infrastructure, policy modernization, capacity-building initiatives, and innovative technologies designed to connect the hardest-to-reach populations.
By including existing projects alongside new ones, P2C enables governments, companies and NGOs to align their ongoing work with the coalition’s mission and showcase their contributions through regular updates.
Overall, ITU estimates that achieving universal, meaningful connectivity by 2030 could require $2.6 trillion to $2.8 trillion. Every effort to advance digital inclusion matters. ITU calls on the public and private sectors to scale up their commitments through P2C and help connect the quarter of the world’s population still unconnected.
Looking ahead, P2C will continue to mobilize resources, foster innovative partnerships, and track progress to ensure pledges deliver tangible outcomes for communities worldwide.
