The World Bank has set a May 13 deadline for international and domestic technology firms to submit competitive bids for “Project BRIDGE,” a landmark $2 billion initiative designed to accelerate Nigeria’s digital transformation.
Nigeria’s $2 billion Project BRIDGE has hit a pivotal procurement milestone, with the World Bank setting a May 13, 2026 deadline for private sector investors to submit bids for the nationwide fiber infrastructure project.
According to official documents reviewed by Technology Times, the deadline was detailed in an Invitation for Prequalification issued by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy under Project ID P508383, titled Building Resilient Digital Infrastructure for Growth – BRIDGE.
These funds are earmarked to back the government’s equity stake in the special purpose vehicle with the document noting that a portion of the proceeds will directly finance its equity contribution to the Project BRIDGE SPV.
Private investors are slated to supply the balance of the project’s funding which could take the form of pure equity or a mix of equity and debt depending on final transaction terms.
The strategic rationale section requires prospective investors to detail their motivation for joining Project BRIDGE and demonstrate their domain expertise. According to the notice, submissions must articulate the investor’s core interest expected strategic contribution and prior track record in telecommunications or digital infrastructure development.
To satisfy the track record criteria, eligible investors must outline their recent execution capabilities, submitting a detailed list of telecom, digital or comparable infrastructure projects they have deployed, owned, managed, operated or backed financially over the past five years.
Financial capacity serves as another critical benchmark requiring bidders to prove their ability to mobilize capital. The notice directs eligible investors to state the exact amount they intend to invest in the Project BRIDGE SPV’s equity, backed by supporting documentation such as recent audited financial statements and letters of credit or financing support.
Specifically, applicants must demonstrate the financial capacity to make a minimum equity investment of $10 million. Additionally, the document mandates that interested participants submit a clear schedule and roadmap for capital deployment detailing key milestones and the timeline expected to reach financial close.
The transaction timeline has been clearly outlined with the notice specifying that private sector financing must be fully secured to reach financial close by Q3 2026. The document further defines financial close as the exact stage when funding commitments are actively drawn down by the Project BRIDGE SPV.
The submission process also establishes strict compliance obligations, including disclosures related to conflict of interest, anti-corruption adherence, and pending legal matters. Specifically, applicants must confirm that they have fully disclosed any material litigation that could reasonably compromise or impair their capacity to participate.
Regarding governance standards, the document requires participating investors to affirm their alignment with international anti-corruption frameworks, specifically mandating written confirmation of compliance with the World Bank’s Guidelines on Preventing and Combating Fraud and Corruption.
Additionally, the notice mandates declarations concerning compliance with sexual exploitation and abuse/harassment policies, alongside formal verification certifying that all information, statements and details provided in the submission are entirely true, accurate, and complete.
Submissions will be assessed against established benchmark criteria with evaluation focusing on investors’ proven track record, financial standing and capacity to deliver firm funding commitments by Q3 2026.
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Once the evaluation is complete, Quest MB will issue written notifications to all prequalified investors while unsuccessful applicants will also be formally informed of the decision.
The document outlines submission guidelines, specifying delivery channels and documentation requirements. According to the notice, eligible investors must submit their applications electronically, in hard copy or both no later than 5:00 PM (WAT) on Wednesday, May 13, 2026.
The notice supplies contact details for inquiries and establishes a formal grievances process via the Project Implementation Unit. In its legal section, it clarifies that the notice does not constitute a tender invitation an offer to sell, or a solicitation to buy securities.
The notice further emphasizes that participation is entirely at the applicant’s expense and risk explicitly stating that neither FMCIDE, the PIU, Quest MB nor their affiliates assume liability for submission-related costs. It concludes with standard legal disclaimers regarding representations and warranties.
