NCC Partners with APC, Stakeholders to Bridge Nigeria’s Rural Connectivity Gap
In a landmark move toward closing Nigeria’s digital divide, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) partnered with the Association for Progressive Communications (APC) and key institutional stakeholders to host a two-day stakeholder workshop in Abuja from June 3–4, 2025.
Themed around enabling community networks for rural and underserved areas, the event focused on crafting a sustainable policy framework to promote inclusive digital connectivity and socio-economic development across Nigeria’s remote communities.
High-Level Engagement on Connectivity and Digital Equity
The workshop brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including
- Regulators
- Community leaders
- Technical experts
- Foreign investors
- Agencies such as the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)
Key discussion points included:
- Affordable device access
- Licensing and spectrum allocation
- Infrastructure development
- Renewable energy integration
- Institutional monitoring and sustainability
NCC’s Commitment to Inclusive Digital Transformation
In his keynote address, Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, reaffirmed the Commission’s dedication to bridging the rural connectivity gap:
“This workshop is a catalyst for meaningful change. It allows us to harness the expertise of diverse stakeholders to tackle key challenges in digital access, especially for underserved communities.”
– Dr. Aminu Maida, EVC, NCC
Dr. Maida emphasised that community networks are vital to achieving digital equity and that NCC is working to remove regulatory barriers and foster sustainable solutions.
APC’s LocNet Initiative Promotes Bottom-Up Connectivity Solutions
Kathleen Diga, co-manager of the LocNet Initiative at APC, highlighted the importance of localised solutions for lasting impact:
“Community connectivity is a strategic response to digital exclusion. This workshop gives us space to co-create models that empower local enterprises and cooperatives to bridge connectivity gaps.”
– Kathleen Diga, APC LocNet Initiative
She stressed the global growth of community networks across the Global South, calling them an essential strategy for inclusive internet access.
Toward a Unified Policy Framework for Nigeria’s Community Networks
Presentations from NCC, APC, REA, and CBN explored funding mechanisms, regulatory innovations, and renewable energy solutions to power connectivity. The goal: a joint policy framework to support and expand community-led network infrastructure in Nigeria.
The APC, with its 35-year legacy of digital advocacy in underserved regions, used this forum to elevate its LocNet initiative, an effort focused on building an enabling regulatory environment for community internet networks in Nigeria and beyond.
Building an Inclusive Digital Future for All Nigerians
The NCC-led stakeholder workshop marked a pivotal step toward inclusive digital transformation in Nigeria. With collaborative momentum from both public and private sectors, the country is poised to empower unserved and underserved communities through sustainable, community-driven network solutions.
