Niger is taking a bold step to revolutionise education by connecting 298 schools to high-speed internet within just five months.
This ambitious project is part of the country’s ongoing drive to modernise its education system and bridge the digital divide for its youth. Through online materials and digital tools, the effort aims to improve learning settings and enable more effective and diverse teaching techniques.
Fast-tracked school Internet connection plan
The project, launched recently in Niamey, is led by Dr. Élisabeth Shérif, Minister of National Education. She emphasised, “Education is the foundation of any nation. It unlocks the potential of every child, forges citizenship, and prepares for the future. Today, knowledge circulates through digital networks… internet access becomes an indispensable lever for today’s students, who will be tomorrow’s professionals.”
To improve education quality across Niger, the government wants to provide pupils with vital digital infrastructure immediately.
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Smart villages program as a backbone
This internet connection initiative is part of the broader Smart Villages project, designed to support Niger’s digital transformation across various sectors. With $100 million from the World Bank, the program aims to expand education through digital learning.
The project diversifies teaching methods and expands learning beyond traditional classrooms to prepare youngsters for a connected society.
Challenges of sustainability and training
While the initial connection phase is set to be completed rapidly, authorities recognise ongoing challenges. Ensuring stable internet connections, comprehensive teacher training on digital tools, and securing continuous funding for maintenance and subscriptions remain priorities. As digital adoption grows, Niger aims to maintain these new infrastructures effectively to maximise the benefits for education and broader community access.
At the beginning of 2025, Niger had 6.37 million internet users, highlighting the need for projects like this to increase digital inclusion nationwide.