The United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) has concluded arrangements to support the deployment of American-made wireless infrastructure in Nigeria and three other West African countries.
The project is aimed at connecting off-grid communities and improving mobile access in underserved areas across the region.
According to a statement made available by the United States Embassy in Abuja, the USTDA announced funding for a feasibility study to install about 1,500 turnkey mobile communications base stations across Nigeria, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana.
The agency said the planned deployment would help close the connectivity gap between urban and rural communities in West Africa.
It added that the project would provide millions of people with faster and more reliable mobile access, especially in communities that have long been offline or dependent on outdated 2G and 3G networks.
The statement read, “USTDA announced funding for a feasibility study to install approximately 1,500 turnkey mobile communications base stations from Massachusetts-based company Vanu Inc. across Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Nigeria.”
According to the agency, the deployment of American-made mobile base stations will support economic activities in rural and hard-to-reach areas by improving access to digital services.
USTDA Deputy Director, Thomas R. Hardy, said the initiative was designed to bring private sector solutions to underserved communities in West Africa.
He said the project would also create opportunities for American companies while supporting trusted digital infrastructure in the region.
“USTDA is bringing private sector solutions to unlock widespread, affordable, trusted internet access in off-grid communities across West Africa,” Hardy said.
“By helping American companies compete in these critical markets, we are offering an alternative to insecure infrastructure while creating export opportunities that make America more prosperous.”
The USTDA said its assistance would fund a study for Vanu Côte d’Ivoire.
The company has selected Georgia-based Vernonburg Group LLC to provide American expertise for the assessment of the commercial viability of large-scale deployment and support efforts to mobilise financing for implementation.
The study will evaluate existing network infrastructure, analyse market conditions across the four countries, assess legal and regulatory frameworks, and develop a comprehensive financing plan.
According to the statement, the project is expected to generate major opportunities for the deployment of trusted United States wireless solutions, network management systems and other digital infrastructure during implementation.
The agency noted that the deployment of the mobile base stations would help address West Africa’s urban-rural connectivity gap.
It said the project would provide millions of people with better mobile access and support economic activities in communities that had been historically excluded from reliable digital connectivity.
“The deployment of American-made mobile base stations will address West Africa’s urban-rural connectivity gap and provide millions of West Africans with faster, more reliable mobile access, supporting economic activity in areas that have historically been offline or limited to outdated 2G and 3G networks,” the statement added.
PrimeTimes Nigeria reports that the Chief Executive Officer of Vanu Inc., Andrew Beard, said the company was proud to partner with USTDA on the project.
He said the initiative would demonstrate how mobile network operators in West Africa could deliver broadband internet and voice services in difficult markets.
“Vanu is proud to partner with USTDA to demonstrate how our systems enable mobile network operators in West Africa to deliver broadband Internet and voice services in some of the most economically and operationally challenging markets and prove that connectivity in these markets can be profitable, sustainable and scalable,” Beard said.
He added that Vanu had developed a network of American companies to deliver cost-effective systems based on open interfaces and architectures.
“Building on our pioneering world-first Federal Communications Commission certification of a software radio product, Vanu has developed an ecosystem of American companies to deliver cost-effective systems based on open interfaces and architectures.
“The USTDA study will help catalyze new investment, expand U.S. exports, and accelerate deployment of trusted, secure digital infrastructure to connect billions of people worldwide,” he added.
The planned deployment is expected to strengthen digital inclusion efforts in Nigeria and the other beneficiary countries.
If implemented, the project could improve access to mobile services in rural communities, support small businesses, strengthen communication links and expand opportunities in education, healthcare, agriculture and commerce.
The USTDA said the feasibility study would guide financing and implementation plans for the large-scale deployment across the four West African countries.