Groundbreaking Achievement Marks a New Era in Nigeria’s Digital Transformation
Nigeria has officially reached a major milestone in its digital evolution, recording 1 terabit per second (Tbps) in internet traffic for the first time in March 2025. This achievement not only signifies the country’s progress in building robust digital infrastructure but also brings with it substantial economic and technological benefits that will impact millions of Nigerians.
In a country where internet traffic has grown exponentially over the past decade, crossing the 1Tbps mark represents a momentous leap forward. For comparison, Nigeria’s internet traffic started at just 5 to 10 megabits per second in 2008. By 2019, traffic had surged to 126 gigabits per second (Gbps), and it continued to increase in the following years, reaching 900Gbps by late 2024. With the latest 1Tbps milestone, Nigeria has clearly positioned itself as a leader in internet connectivity in Africa.
The rise in internet traffic has been driven by the expansion of local data centers, increased interconnection, and partnerships with major international tech giants, including Google, Facebook, Amazon, Microsoft, Netflix, and TikTok. These companies are now all connected to the Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN), further fueling the country’s digital growth.
How Nigeria Achieved the 1Tbps Milestone: The Role of Local Infrastructure
Muhammed Rudman, CEO of IXPN, shared insights into this transformative achievement during a press briefing in Lagos. According to Rudman, Nigeria’s rise in internet traffic is not just a technical accomplishment—it has profound economic and societal implications.
Rudman emphasized that keeping internet traffic local is a key factor in Nigeria’s success. “By keeping local internet traffic within Nigeria, we reduce costs, improve speeds, and ensure our digital economy thrives with homegrown infrastructure,” he explained. This strategy has allowed the country to lower its dependence on international bandwidth, while also minimizing latency for local services.
The increase in domestic data traffic has also enabled Nigeria to boost its digital infrastructure, making internet access faster, more affordable, and more reliable. For millions of Nigerians, this means better access to education, healthcare, entertainment, and business opportunities.
Benefits Beyond Numbers: How 1Tbps Will Impact Nigerians
The 1Tbps milestone isn’t just a symbolic number—it’s a game-changer for the everyday lives of Nigerians. To put it into perspective:
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Education and Remote Work: A speed of 1Tbps can support over 1 million Zoom meetings simultaneously, providing uninterrupted connectivity for students and professionals across the country.
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Entertainment: It enables over 200,000 individuals to stream high-definition content, including Nollywood films and Netflix shows, at the same time, without buffering or interruptions.
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Data Transfer: The 1Tbps capacity is so powerful that it can transfer the entire contents of 50,000 smartphones—including photos, applications, and videos—in just one second.
This dramatic increase in capacity will help millions of Nigerians access vital services with greater ease and efficiency. The new internet infrastructure is expected to significantly boost sectors like e-commerce, fintech, and edtech, helping to drive the country’s economic growth.
Economic Implications: A Leap Towards a Stronger Digital Economy
The broader economic implications of this milestone are significant. By reducing reliance on international bandwidth and improving the speed and reliability of local services, Nigeria is positioning itself as a key player in Africa’s digital ecosystem.
Rudman explained that the 1Tbps milestone is a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation, noting that the achievement was made possible through the combined efforts of local businesses, tech companies, and government entities. As the country continues to build on its digital foundation, the economic benefits will be far-reaching.
Key Takeaways:
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Cost Savings: Local data exchange saves Nigeria around $40 million annually.
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Improved Speed: Enhanced internet speeds will benefit individuals and businesses alike.
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Technological Growth: The milestone enables more innovation and collaboration across industries.
Nigeria’s 1Tbps achievement is not just a technical triumph—it’s a powerful symbol of the country’s evolving role as a tech hub in Africa. The impact of this milestone will be felt across the continent, as Nigeria becomes increasingly connected and positioned to lead the charge in Africa’s digital revolution.
