Abuja, Nigeria — 27 September 2026 — As Nigeria strives to overcome persistent connectivity barriers, twenty practitioners from across the country are gathering in Abuja for the nation’s first-ever community-centred connectivity (CCC) capacity-building bootcamp. Running from 28 September to 2 October 2026 at the Bon Hotel Elvis, the five-day intensive programme marks a major milestone in strengthening locally led digital inclusion.
Tackling Nigeria’s Rural Digital Divide
While urban centers enjoy advanced digital infrastructure, deep disparities persist outside major cities. According to Research ICT Africa:
- 82 million+ rural Nigerians remain completely offline.
- Only 19% of individuals living in rural areas have internet access.
This divide is driven by a combination of supply-side hurdles—such as sparse coverage and weak policy support—and demand-side barriers, including high device costs, limited digital literacy, and usage gaps that disproportionately affect women.
The bootcamp directly supports the implementation of the National Strategy for Community Networks in Nigeria (2025–2027), offering a structured roadmap to empower communities to deploy, operate, and sustain their own connectivity solutions.
Building on a Legacy of Grassroots Action
The new bootcamp builds on decades of pioneering work by local organizations and institutional frameworks, including:
- Early groundwork laid by the Fantsuam Foundation and ISOC Nigeria.
- Ongoing efforts by the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), the Media Awareness and Justice Initiative (MAJI), and Hello World.
- The Nigerian School of Community Networks (NSCN), which trained rural community members between 2021 and 2025 to create and manage local networks.
Hands-on Learning and Collaboration
The five-day agenda blends core concepts with practical application. Participants will explore regulatory landscapes, technical resources, sustainability models, and gender inclusivity. Highlights include:
- Expert Insight: A foundational pre-session led by community-led connectivity expert Steve Song, examining backhaul alternatives and connectivity chains from the first to the last mile.
- Field Immersion: A practical site visit to the Dakwa Community Network to ground classroom learning in real-world scenarios.
Organizers and Global Partners
The CCC Nigeria Bootcamp is convened by Local Access Networks (LocNet)—a joint initiative of the Association for Progressive Communications (APC) and Rhizomatica—and hosted by CITAD, alongside active participation from MAJI, Fantsuam Foundation, and Hello World.
Financial and technical backing is provided by the UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) through its Digital Access Programme, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), the World Association for Christian Communication (WACC), and 48percent.org.
Join the Conversation Online
Follow the bootcamp coverage and share updates using the official channels and hashtags:
For background information, read the National Strategy for Community Networks in Nigeria (2025–2027).
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