The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration between the telecommunications and energy sectors.

This is with a view to expanding digital infrastructure and electricity access in underserved communities.

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

Speaking at the event, the executive cice-chairman of the NCC, Aminu Maida, said reliable electricity and digital connectivity were mutually reinforcing pillars of national development.

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

According to Mr Maida, communities without electricity struggle to sustain telecommunications infrastructure, while communities without connectivity are unable to fully maximise the benefits of electricity.

He said the collaboration would enable both agencies to coordinate infrastructure planning through data sharing.

He said that the REA would provide the NCC with geospatial data on existing, newly electrified, and planned electrification projects, including mini-grids and solar home system clusters.

According to him, the NCC will share information on existing and planned Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) projects to ensure both agencies work from a unified map of connectivity and energy gaps.

The executive commissioner, Technical Services, NCC, Abraham Oshadami, said that the agreement was a major step towards improving telecommunications and electricity access, particularly in rural communities.

Mr Oshadami said that telecommunications infrastructure depended on reliable electricity, while electricity services increasingly rely on digital connectivity.

He said the MoU would enable both agencies to identify telecommunications base stations located near existing or planned mini-grids, allowing operators to draw power from nearby renewable energy installations.

“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, Technical Services, REA, Umar Umar, said the agreement established a formal framework for collaboration after years of both agencies pursuing similar objectives independently.

Mr Umar said the partnership would focus on data sharing, joint infrastructure mapping, and coordinated project implementation.

According to him, the agencies have also established an NCC-REA collaboration committee to identify priority locations and develop pilot projects for 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,” Mr Umar said.

He said that the collaboration would also provide a platform for wider stakeholder participation in evaluating and strengthening implementation strategies.

The MoU is expected to improve coordination between the two agencies.

It would also reduce infrastructure costs and accelerate the expansion of digital and electricity infrastructure to underserved and unserved communities across Nigeria.

The workshop brought together senior government officials, telecommunications operators, tower companies, renewable energy developers and financiers to explore strategies for accelerating digital infrastructure deployment through renewable energy solutions. 

(NAN)