In Nigeria, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, announced the launch of a call for expressions of interest on Sunday, March 29, 2026.

Named National Digital Economy Research Clusters (NDERC), the program is part of the BRIDGE project, a national initiative that plans the deployment of 90,000 km of fiber optic cable across the country to improve connectivity and support the development of a modern digital economy. Nigerian authorities plan to allocate 12 billion naira (8.6 million dollars) to a national digital economy research program. It aims to strengthen institutions and ensure that the digital transition benefits all of society, relying on scientific evidence rather than short-term decisions.

The program aligns with the Nigerian authorities' ambition to leverage digital technology for socio-economic development. According to the government, ICT is expected to contribute 22% of GDP by 2027.

The NDERC plans the creation of six research clusters covering strategic areas: connectivity, digital public infrastructure, digital skills and education, digital economy and employment, security and consumer protection, as well as artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. The program will mobilize 36 professors from 36 Nigerian universities, in collaboration with international academic partners, and will involve over 200 researchers, to produce rigorous scientific work directly applicable to public policy development.