The decision by the Anambra State Government in 2022 to waive the Right of Way (RoW charges for laying broadband fibre across the state has been identified as a bold step that has greatly aided the digital revolution in the state.
Across Nigeria, one of the biggest hurdles to broadband expansion has been the prohibitive cost of Right of Way, RoW charges.
This is the fee that telecom operators must pay to lay fibre-optic cables across state-owned land, which significantly slows down the rollout of digital infrastructure.
In an exclusive interview with TNC correspondent in Awka, Anambra State Capital, the Managing Director of the State ICT Agency, Mr Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, CFA, noted that although the decision in 2022 by the state government seemed like a quiet policy move, in reality, it laid the foundation for the state’s ongoing digital transformation journey.
Agbata maintained that the logic behind the move was to send a clear message to telecom operators, broadband providers, and investors that Anambra is open for digital business.
According to him, this single decision had paved the way for fibre-to-home deployment, the expansion of 5G infrastructure, and faster, more reliable internet across communities, ultimately boosting the ease of doing business.
He noted that one of the most visible testaments to the viability of the policy is the ongoing roll-out of the ‘Solution Free Wi-Fi’ initiative, which he said is democratizing internet access for students, traders, civil servants, and everyday citizens, alongside the digitization of government processes that are making service delivery faster and more transparent.
“Anambra is reaping the dividends of a forward-thinking approach. What seemed impossible a few years ago is now a lived reality. Teachers are being equipped with digital tools, which enhance lesson delivery and prepare students for a technology-driven future.
“Civil servants now work with smarter systems, making the civil service more efficient, transparent, and responsive to citizens, while young innovators are finding an enabling environment to create solutions and businesses that improve lives and shape the future.
“What began as a policy shift has cascaded into practical, people-centred benefits that are redefining how Anambra learns, works, and governs.
“This backbone is also unlocking new opportunities in telemedicine, e-learning, smart agriculture, and more. In short, the Soludo-led administration’s decision aligns perfectly with the governor’s vision of building a liveable and prosperous megacity, anchored on technology,” he said.
CFA also pointed out that forward-thinking states like Lagos, Ekiti, and Kaduna that reduced or eliminated RoW fees saw significant surges in broadband penetration and digital services, just like how internationally, countries like Kenya and Rwanda have demonstrated how lowering barriers for telecom operators fuels widespread connectivity, attracts investment, and spurs innovation.
