Nigeria deploys 3,700 green towers to promote digital inclusion

Written by: Ayman Ragab

The Minister of Communications and Innovation confirmedDigital economy Nigerian Dr. Buson Tijani affirmed the federal government's commitment to bridging the country's digital divide by accelerating the launch of the Nigeria Universal Access to Communications Project (NUCAP), a large-scale infrastructure initiative designed to provide reliable connectivity to communities that have long been left behind.

This confirmation followed a high-level meeting with a delegation from the Industrial Bank of China (CIB), headed by Peng Shuang, General Manager of the Strategic Emerging Industries Business Headquarters. The visit focused on deepening cooperation within the NUCAP program and exploring the bank's role in supporting its implementation.

3,700 modern telecommunications towers deployed across Nigeria

The initiative centers on a plan to deploy 3,700 modern telecommunications towers across Nigeria, with a particular focus on rural and riverine areas that lack or have weak network coverage. The project is expected to expand digital access for more than 20 million Nigerians who currently live outside of effective telecommunications infrastructure.

Dr. Tijani described the NUCAP project as a “fully green network,” an initiative built on the principles of sustainable infrastructure, not just connectivity goals. The network’s green design reflects a conscious effort to provide modern digital access without the carbon footprint associated with deploying traditional diesel-powered cell towers, thus linking infrastructure expansion to broader environmental commitments.

In addition to connecting communities to the internet, the minister described the project as an economic enabler. He noted that connecting previously isolated communities would open up new horizons for digital financial services, educational resources, innovation environments, and new economic opportunities for millions of Nigerians who currently lack access to them.

Growing international confidence in the digital transformation agenda

The involvement of the Industrial Bank of China is of added importance; this represents the institution’s first major investment commitment in Nigeria.

Dr. Tijani pointed to this partnership as evidence of growing international confidence in Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda and its ability to attract serious, long-term investments in technology-based infrastructure.

Regarding near-term delivery, the minister expressed confidence in the government’s goal of having at least 1,000 tower sites operational before the end of the year, an achievement he described as tangible early evidence of the momentum of the NUCAP project and the project’s ability to translate ambition into tangible progress on the ground.