The United States Trade and Development Agency has announced plans to support the rollout of American-made wireless infrastructure across Nigeria and three other West African countries as part of efforts to improve internet access in underserved communities.
The initiative, which will also cover Benin, Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, is aimed at connecting millions of people in off-grid and rural areas that still struggle with poor or outdated telecommunications services.
According to a statement released by the U.S. Embassy in Abuja, the agency is funding a feasibility study for the installation of about 1,500 turnkey mobile communication base stations across the four countries.
The project will be executed using wireless technology developed by Massachusetts-based company Vanu Inc..USTDA said the deployment is expected to help close the widening connectivity gap between urban and rural communities in West Africa by providing faster and more reliable mobile access.
The agency noted that improved digital connectivity could stimulate economic activities in communities that have historically remained offline or depended largely on outdated 2G and 3G networks.
Deputy Director of USTDA, Thomas R. Hardy, said the project reflects the agency’s broader goal of expanding affordable and trusted internet access across underserved regions while also creating opportunities for American technology companies.
“USTDA is bringing private sector solutions to unlock widespread, affordable, trusted internet access in off-grid communities across West Africa,” Hardy stated.
He added that supporting U.S. companies in emerging digital markets also offers an alternative to what he described as insecure infrastructure while strengthening export opportunities for American businesses.
As part of the arrangement, USTDA will finance the study for Vanu Côte d’Ivoire, which has engaged Georgia-based Vernonburg Group LLC to provide technical expertise for the project.
The study will assess the commercial viability of large-scale deployment across the four countries, while also examining market conditions, legal and regulatory requirements, financing options and the state of existing telecommunications infrastructure.
According to the agency, the broader implementation phase could create opportunities for the deployment of additional U.S.-made wireless systems, digital infrastructure and network management technologies throughout the region.
Chief Executive Officer of Vanu Inc., Andrew Beard, described the partnership as an important step toward proving that broadband connectivity in difficult and underserved markets can still be commercially viable.
“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,” he said.
Beard explained that the company’s technology was designed around cost-effective systems and open network architecture capable of supporting scalable and sustainable connectivity solutions.
He added that the feasibility study could help attract new investments, boost U.S. technology exports and accelerate the deployment of secure digital infrastructure across emerging markets.
The project comes at a time when governments and private investors across Africa are increasingly prioritising digital infrastructure as a critical driver of economic inclusion, education, commerce and innovation.
