The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at accelerating the deployment 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. 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 explore 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, who was represented by the Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, Engr. Abraham Oshadami, described the partnership as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s drive to improve digital connectivity and energy access.
He said reliable electricity and digital connectivity are complementary pillars of national development, noting that communities without stable power struggle to sustain telecommunications infrastructure, while communities lacking connectivity are unable to fully benefit from electrification projects.
Oshadami explained that the partnership establishes a framework for aligning telecommunications and rural electrification programmes through coordinated planning, infrastructure sharing and the deployment of renewable energy solutions. Under the agreement, the REA will provide geospatial data on existing and planned electrification projects, while the NCC will share information on Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) projects to enable both agencies identify connectivity and energy gaps and coordinate future deployments more effectively.
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 is expected to reduce deployment costs, improve operational efficiency and accelerate broadband connectivity in underserved and rural communities.
In his remarks, 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 provide a cleaner and more sustainable alternative to diesel-powered telecommunications sites while creating commercially viable opportunities for telecom operators and renewable energy developers.
The workshop also featured presentations by the NCC–REA Collaboration Committee on geospatial analysis, pilot project opportunities and implementation strategies, as well as panel discussions on financing models, regulatory frameworks and infrastructure planning. Stakeholders were urged to identify practical financing mechanisms and commercial models capable of translating the initiative into sustainable, large-scale projects.
The MoU is expected to strengthen collaboration between both agencies in support of the Federal Government’s digital economy and rural development agenda. Through the partnership, the NCC and REA aim to improve infrastructure planning, expand broadband access, promote renewable energy adoption within telecommunications networks and deliver resilient digital infrastructure that will support socio-economic development across Nigeria.
