Taara and Liquid Push Beyond Fibre in Nigeria's Enterprise Broadband Market

August 6, 2026
By Mintesinot Nigussie

Taara, the wireless optical communications company spun out of Google's X "Moonshot Factory", and Liquid Intelligent Technologies are expanding the use of light-based wireless links in Nigeria as telecom operators seek alternatives to fibre to meet rising demand for enterprise broadband. The companies said Liquid has deployed nearly a dozen Taara optical wireless links across Lagos over the past two years, using the technology to deliver high-capacity connectivity to businesses that are difficult or costly to reach with conventional fibre networks. The deployments also provide additional network resilience in areas where fibre cuts can disrupt services for days.

The collaboration comes as Nigeria, one of Africa's largest digital markets, experiences growing demand for reliable, high-speed connectivity from businesses, financial institutions and internet service providers. Expanding fixed broadband infrastructure in densely populated urban centres such as Lagos has become increasingly challenging because of the cost and complexity of laying new fibre. Liquid, part of Cassava Technologies, said it plans to extend the technology beyond Lagos to Abuja, Ibadan and Kano as it broadens its enterprise network.

Unlike conventional fibre, Taara's Lightbridge platform transmits data through highly focused beams of light travelling through the air. The system can deliver speeds of up to 20 gigabits per second across distances of as much as 20 kilometres, allowing operators to establish high-capacity links without trenching roads, obtaining spectrum licences or undertaking extensive civil engineering works. The technology is intended to complement fibre rather than replace it, providing operators with a faster deployment option where physical infrastructure is impractical or economically unviable.

"Traditional fibre deployments aren't always a possibility, especially across difficult terrains," said Eugene Uka, acting chief executive of Liquid Intelligent Technologies Nigeria. "Taara links can often be installed and activated within hours." Bhavesh Mistry, Taara's regional lead for Africa, said operators increasingly require a mix of technologies to expand network capacity and improve resilience. "Fibre remains an essential part of modern communications infrastructure, but there are many situations where deploying fibre quickly or cost-effectively can be difficult," he said. "Wireless optical communication gives operators another tool to extend capacity, reach customers faster and build more resilient networks."

Taara said its Lightbridge platform is now deployed in more than 20 countries. Customers include T-Mobile, Airtel, Digicel, SoftBank and Liquid, with the technology being used to extend network capacity in urban, rural and remote locations.

Source: FSX Business News