NCC, partners hold workshop to tackle rural connectivity challenges

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The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has partnered with the Association for Progressive Communications (APC) and other key institutions to address the persistent challenges of rural network connectivity across Nigeria.

This collaboration culminated in a two-day workshop held in Abuja from June 3 to 4, 2025, aimed at exploring policy frameworks to enable community networks. The initiative seeks to bridge the digital divide and accelerate socio-economic development in underserved and unserved communities nationwide.

The workshop brought together regulators, community leaders, technical experts, and potential foreign investors to deliberate on regulatory bottlenecks, innovative funding models, sustainable renewable solutions, and multi-stakeholder collaboration for expanding digital access.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida—represented by the Executive Commissioner for Technical Services, Abraham Oshadami—emphasized the Commission’s commitment to digital inclusion. He described the forum as an important platform to address barriers such as affordable device access, spectrum allocation, infrastructure development, and regulatory reform.

Kathleen Diga, Co-Manager of APC’s Local Network (LocNet) initiative, said the partnership aims to address long-standing issues of digital exclusion by fostering grassroots-led solutions. “This is a space where we can exchange ideas and explore bottom-up approaches involving local communities, cooperatives, and social enterprises,” she said.

Diga emphasized the need to acknowledge the growing role of community networks across the global south as a strategic response to exclusion, and urged Nigerian stakeholders to support such models to close existing digital gaps.

The workshop featured presentations from the NCC, APC, the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), all aimed at developing a cohesive policy framework to boost rural connectivity.

The APC, a 35-year-old international network, has led advocacy for digital inclusion, particularly in developing countries. Through its LocNet initiative, the group is working with Nigerian stakeholders to create an inclusive regulatory environment for the growth of community-based connectivity solutions.