The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has proposed a policy initiative to license and support the development of community networks in rural and underserved regions of the country. This initiative was announced during a two-day workshop in Abuja, held in collaboration with the Association for Progressive Communications (APC) and other stakeholders. The policy aims to reduce regulatory barriers and empower communities to build and operate their own telecommunication infrastructure.
The workshop brought together a diverse group of stakeholders including regulators, technical experts, community representatives, and foreign investors. Discussions focused on overcoming licensing and infrastructure challenges, identifying innovative funding mechanisms, and exploring sustainable energy solutions that can support these networks. The ultimate goal is to foster greater digital access and inclusion for communities historically left behind in Nigeria’s digital expansion.
Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, emphasized the commission’s dedication to bridging Nigeria’s digital divide. Represented by the Executive Commissioner of Technical Services, Abraham Oshadami, Maida noted that community-driven infrastructure is key to achieving inclusive socio-economic growth. He highlighted issues such as spectrum allocation, affordability of devices, and sustainable monitoring as key hurdles to be tackled through the proposed framework.
Kathleen Diga, co-manager of APC’s Local Network (LocNet) initiative, underlined the importance of collaborative and grassroots approaches. She praised the workshop as a critical opportunity to create space for innovative thinking and local ownership. Diga encouraged the promotion of small-scale, cooperative-led telecommunication efforts to help fill gaps in the current digital ecosystem.
Both NCC and APC stressed the rising significance of community networks globally, particularly in the Global South. With this new policy initiative, Nigeria could become a regional leader in democratizing digital access, allowing rural communities not only to connect but to thrive in the digital age. The proposed licensing framework represents a potential game-changer in enabling connectivity for millions currently offline.
Source: The Sun