NCC, REA Partner to Expand Digital Infrastructure Through Renewable Energy

By Mu'azu Hassan @ katsina times 

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at accelerating the expansion of sustainable digital infrastructure across Nigeria by integrating renewable energy solutions with telecommunications infrastructure.

The agreement was formalised during the NCC–REA Stakeholder Workshop held at the NCC Annex Office Auditorium in Mbora, Abuja, on Friday, July 24, 2026.

The workshop, themed "Unlocking the Energy–Telecoms Nexus for Scalable Digital Infrastructure in Nigeria," brought together government officials, telecommunications operators, tower companies, renewable energy developers, financiers, development partners and other industry stakeholders to discuss strategies for expanding digital connectivity through sustainable energy solutions.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, represented by the Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, Engr. Abraham Oshadami, described the partnership as a major milestone in Nigeria's efforts to achieve inclusive digital connectivity and improved energy access.

He said reliable electricity and digital connectivity are closely linked and form the foundation of an inclusive and productive economy. According to him, communities without stable electricity struggle to sustain telecommunications infrastructure, while those lacking connectivity are unable to fully benefit from electrification initiatives.

Oshadami explained that the partnership would establish a coordinated framework for aligning telecommunications and rural electrification programmes through joint planning, shared infrastructure and renewable energy solutions.

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He disclosed that the REA would provide geospatial data on existing and planned electrification projects, while the NCC would share information on Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) deployments. This, he said, would enable both agencies to jointly identify connectivity and electricity gaps for better planning and implementation.

He added that the collaboration would also explore opportunities to power telecommunications infrastructure, including base stations and fibre repeater sites, using REA's off-grid renewable energy projects. The initiative will also encourage the co-location of telecom infrastructure on REA-developed energy assets where technically feasible.

According to Oshadami, the arrangement is expected to reduce deployment costs, improve operational efficiency and accelerate broadband expansion in underserved and unserved communities across the country.

Also speaking, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the REA, represented by the Executive Director, Technical Services, Engr. Umar Abdullahi Umar, said Nigeria's digital economy depends on reliable energy infrastructure.

He noted that renewable energy mini-grids offer a cleaner and more sustainable alternative to diesel-powered telecommunications sites, adding that the partnership would create commercially viable opportunities for both telecom operators and renewable energy developers.

The workshop featured presentations by the NCC–REA Collaboration Committee on geospatial analysis, pilot project opportunities and implementation strategies. Panel discussions also focused on financing models, policy and regulatory frameworks, as well as infrastructure planning required to support the initiative.

Oshadami urged stakeholders to move beyond expressions of support by developing practical financing mechanisms, commercial models and regulatory measures that would translate the initiative into sustainable, large-scale projects.

The MoU is expected to strengthen collaboration between the NCC and the REA in advancing the Federal Government's digital economy and rural development agenda through improved infrastructure planning, expanded broadband connectivity, increased adoption of renewable energy in telecommunications networks, and the delivery of resilient and sustainable digital infrastructure nationwide.