The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) have formalised a strategic partnership to accelerate the deployment of sustainable digital infrastructure across Nigeria through the integration of renewable energy solutions and telecommunications infrastructure.
The partnership was sealed with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the NCC–REA Stakeholder Workshop held at the NCC Annex Office Auditorium, Mbora, Abuja, on Friday, July 24, 2026.
The workshop, themed “Unlocking the Energy–Telecoms Nexus for Scalable Digital Infrastructure in Nigeria,” brought together senior government officials, telecommunications operators, tower companies, renewable energy developers, financiers, development partners and other industry stakeholders to explore practical approaches to expanding connectivity through sustainable energy solutions.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, who was represented by the Executive Commissioner, Technical Services (ECTS), Engr. Abraham Oshadami, described the collaboration as a major milestone in Nigeria’s drive towards inclusive digital connectivity and energy access.
“Reliable electricity and digital connectivity are not two separate development goals. They are mutually reinforcing foundations of the same objective that produces an inclusive and productive economy,” he said.
He noted that reliable electricity and digital connectivity are mutually reinforcing foundations of an inclusive and productive economy, stressing that communities without stable power struggle to sustain telecommunications infrastructure, while those without connectivity are unable to fully benefit from electrification.
Oshadami explained that the partnership establishes a practical framework for aligning telecommunications and rural electrification programmes through coordinated planning, shared infrastructure, and renewable energy solutions. He disclosed that the REA will provide geospatial data on existing and planned electrification projects, while the NCC will share information on existing and planned Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) deployments, enabling both institutions to jointly identify connectivity and energy gaps for more effective planning and implementation.
He further stated that the collaboration would explore opportunities to power telecommunications infrastructure, including base stations and fibre repeater sites, through REA’s off-grid renewable energy projects, while also encouraging the co-location of telecom infrastructure on REA-developed energy assets where technically feasible. According to him the initiative will reduce deployment costs, improve operational efficiency and accelerate connectivity in underserved communities, the initiative will reduce deployment costs, improve operational efficiency and accelerate connectivity in underserved communities.
