Coleman Wires and Cables have officially commissioned its fibre optic cable production plant, projected as the largest in Africa.
The launch coincided with the company’s 50th anniversary. The unveiling of the facility in Sagamu, Ogun State, with a production capacity of more than 9 million kilometres of fibre-optic cables shows the factory also incorporates the continent’s first fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP) manufacturing line.
Coleman Wires and Cables has also set target to become a ₦15 trillion (approximately US $10 billion) revenue business, in the nearest future.
Speaking at the event, George Onafowokan, , the company’s managing director & CEO, said over 50 % of the projected revenue will come from exports and repatriated foreign exchange, aligning with the company’s strategy to scale beyond Nigeria’s borders.
The commissioning drew leading officials including Dapo Abiodun, Governor of Ogun State; Bosun Tijani, minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy; and Jumoke Oduwole, minister of Industry, Trade & Investment, who described the factory as a strategic national infrastructure asset.
Oduwole noted that the facility supports Nigeria’s digital economy ambitions by reducing reliance on imports, conserving foreign exchange, and positioning the country as a regional manufacturing hub under the AfCFTA framework.
Governor Abiodun described Coleman’s milestone as “a story of faith, resilience, and innovation,” saying the factory will spur thousands of jobs and contribute to Ogun State’s industrial transformation.
With its upgraded capacity and export-driven strategy, Coleman is signaling a major shift: from local cable maker to continental powerhouse.
Why This Matters for Nigeria
Connectivity & Digital Economy: As Nigeria steps up deployment of broadband infrastructure, including a target of 90,000 kilometres of fibre under Project BRIDGE, Coleman’s local manufacturing bolsters domestic capacity and reduces reliance on imports.
Jobs and Skills: The facility is expected to create thousands of direct and indirect jobs, supporting local manufacturing, technical training and community value chains.
Foreign Exchange Savings & Export Potential: By localising production of fibre optics and related cables, Nigeria can conserve foreign exchange and export to other African markets under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Government & Industry Response
Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State described the factory as a “defining moment” for the state and the nation’s digital revolution, noting the facility’s spill-over effects into manufacturing, logistics and ICT.
Dr. Tijani highlighted that the achievement underscores Nigeria’s growing industrial credentials and emphasized the role of secure, home-grown infrastructure in a rapidly digitalising economy.
He spoke of the need to “protect” the emerging New Nigeria by investing in local capacity and resilience.
Looking Ahead
Coleman’s achievement is part of a broader narrative: as Nigeria seeks to deepen its digital economy and enhance infrastructure, inorganic steps like commissioning such a factory become key symbols of transformation.
However, challenges around policy stability, supply-chain constraints and competition from imports remain.
For businesses, startups and investors alike, the event signals that Nigeria’s manufacturing and tech ecosystem is evolving, with local production, digital infrastructure and industrial ambition converging at a critical moment.
