NCC, REA partner to expand digital connectivity, electricity access in underserved communities

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening collaboration between the telecommunications and energy sectors to accelerate digital infrastructure deployment and improve electricity access in underserved communities across Nigeria.

The agreement was signed on Friday in Abuja during a stakeholder workshop themed “Unlocking the Energy–Telecoms Nexus for Scalable Digital Infrastructure in Nigeria.”

The partnership is expected to foster coordinated planning between both agencies, reduce infrastructure deployment costs, and bridge connectivity and electricity gaps in rural and unserved areas through the integration of renewable energy solutions.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, described reliable electricity and digital connectivity as two critical pillars for Nigeria’s socio-economic development.

According to him, access to fast and dependable telecommunications services creates opportunities for economic growth, financial inclusion, education, healthcare, and innovation.

“When a community is provided with fast and reliable connectivity, it brings development, inclusion and opportunities,” Maida said.

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He explained that telecommunications infrastructure cannot be sustainably deployed in communities without stable electricity, while communities with electricity but lacking digital connectivity are unable to fully benefit from modern technology and digital services.

Maida said the partnership would enable both agencies to synchronize infrastructure planning through comprehensive data sharing.

Under the agreement, the REA will provide the NCC with geospatial data covering existing, newly electrified, and planned electrification projects, including mini-grids and solar home system clusters.

In return, the NCC will share information on current and planned projects under the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), allowing both institutions to identify underserved locations requiring simultaneous investments in electricity and telecommunications infrastructure.

The Executive Commissioner for Technical Services at the NCC, Abraham Oshadami, described the agreement as a major milestone in expanding access to both electricity and telecommunications services, particularly in rural communities.

He noted that telecommunications infrastructure increasingly depends on reliable power, while electricity systems are becoming more digitally driven.

According to Oshadami, the collaboration will enable telecommunications operators to connect base stations located near existing or planned renewable energy mini-grids, reducing dependence on diesel generators and ensuring uninterrupted service in off-grid locations.

“The base stations will remain operational even where there is no national grid supply because mini-grids can sustain connectivity in those locations.

“This will significantly improve access to telecommunications services in rural communities while supporting broader socio-economic development,” he said.

Also speaking, the Executive Director of Technical Services at the REA, Umar Umar, said the MoU provides a formal structure for collaboration after years of both agencies working independently toward similar development objectives.

He explained that the partnership will focus on data sharing, joint infrastructure mapping, coordinated implementation, and the identification of priority communities where electricity and telecommunications investments can be deployed simultaneously.

According to him, both agencies have already established a joint NCC-REA collaboration committee to identify strategic locations and develop pilot projects that will guide future nationwide implementation.

“We are bringing together our telecoms and power coverage maps to identify viable locations where both sectors can complement each other.

“At the end of this process, we will develop precise, data-driven solutions and pilot projects that will guide future deployments,” Umar said.

He added that the initiative would also create opportunities for broader stakeholder participation, enabling industry players, investors, and development partners to contribute to strengthening implementation strategies.

reports that the collaboration is expected to improve coordination between the telecommunications and energy sectors, lower infrastructure deployment costs, and accelerate access to digital services and electricity in underserved and unserved communities.

The workshop attracted senior government officials, telecommunications operators, tower infrastructure companies, renewable energy developers, financiers, and other stakeholders who explored practical strategies for expanding Nigeria’s digital infrastructure through renewable energy-powered solutions.

Industry experts believe the partnership aligns with the Federal Government’s broader agenda of deepening digital inclusion, promoting clean energy adoption, and supporting sustainable socio-economic development by extending essential services to millions of Nigerians living in rural and hard-to-reach communities.