Nigeria, Ghana to Benefit From New US-Backed Telecom Expansion

The United States government has launched a major digital infrastructure initiative aimed at deploying approximately 1,500 wireless communication base stations across parts of West Africa, including Nigeria, in what analysts see as a strategic move to counter growing Chinese dominance in Africa’s telecommunications sector.

The initiative, announced by the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, will cover Nigeria, Ghana, Benin and Côte d’Ivoire, with the U.S. government funding a feasibility study to assess the commercial viability of deploying turnkey mobile communication infrastructure across the four countries.

According to the agency, the study will be carried out for Vanu Côte d’Ivoire, a subsidiary of Massachusetts-based technology company Vanu Inc., which specialises in wireless connectivity solutions for underserved and remote communities.

Georgia-based Vernonburg Group LLC has been selected to conduct the feasibility study. The assessment will examine existing telecommunications infrastructure, evaluate market opportunities, review legal and regulatory frameworks and develop financing strategies for the eventual rollout of the wireless stations.

USTDA Deputy Director Thomas R. Hardy described the initiative as part of Washington’s broader effort to expand “trusted” digital infrastructure in emerging markets while supporting American technology exports.

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“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,” he added.

The remarks are widely viewed as a direct reference to Chinese telecommunications giants such as Huawei and ZTE, whose equipment currently dominates large sections of Africa’s telecom infrastructure.

In recent years, the United States has intensified efforts to persuade allies and developing nations to reduce reliance on Chinese-built telecommunications systems, citing cybersecurity and national security concerns.

The latest U.S.-backed project signals an extension of that strategic rivalry into West Africa’s rapidly expanding digital economy and rural broadband market.

Chief Executive Officer of Vanu Inc., Andrew Beard, said the project would demonstrate that delivering reliable internet and voice connectivity to remote and economically challenging regions could be commercially sustainable.

“The USTDA study will help catalyse new investment, expand U.S. exports, and accelerate deployment of trusted, secure digital infrastructure to connect billions of people worldwide,” Beard stated.

Vanu already maintains operations in parts of West Africa and has previously deployed off-grid wireless solutions in Nigeria’s Edo and Delta states, as well as in Benin, Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.

The company focuses on low-cost, solar-powered and software-defined wireless systems capable of operating in remote communities with limited electricity and infrastructure.

Industry experts say the project could significantly improve broadband penetration across underserved rural communities where millions of residents still depend on outdated 2G and 3G networks or have no reliable internet access at all.

The planned deployment is also expected to support digital inclusion, mobile banking, e-learning, telemedicine, e-commerce and other technology-driven economic activities across the region.

Nigeria, Africa’s largest telecommunications market by subscriber base, has continued to prioritise broadband expansion under its digital economy agenda. However, significant connectivity gaps remain in many rural and underserved communities due to infrastructure costs, inconsistent power supply and limited private investment.

Analysts say the proposed U.S.-supported wireless infrastructure could help bridge the urban-rural digital divide while increasing competition within the region’s telecom sector.

The development comes at a time when African governments are accelerating investments in digital infrastructure, 5G technology and internet accessibility as part of broader economic diversification and technological transformation strategies.

Nigeria, Ghana to Benefit From New US-Backed Telecom Expansion

DAPPMAN Reacts As Dangote Refinery Challenges Fuel Import Licences In Court

The Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) has warned that the lawsuit filed by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery seeking to invalidate fuel import licences issued to marketers and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited could destabilise Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector.

The dispute marks the latest confrontation in the country’s oil industry over the future of fuel importation in Nigeria amid increasing local refining capacity from the $20 billion Dangote refinery in Lekki, Lagos.

On March 25, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) reportedly relaxed petrol import restrictions by approving a fresh batch of import licences for oil marketers. The approvals covered several companies, including NIPCO, Matrix Energy, AA Rano, Pinnacle Oil and Gas, Bono Energy and Shafa Energy. Reports indicated that the licences involved hundreds of thousands of metric tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

However, two months later, the Dangote refinery approached the Federal High Court in Lagos, challenging the legality of the import permits granted by the NMDPRA.

The refinery argued that the approvals violated an earlier court order maintaining the status quo and also contravened provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which it said permits fuel imports only when domestic production cannot meet national demand.

According to court documents, Dangote Refinery maintained that continued large-scale importation of petrol undermines local refining investments and weakens efforts aimed at achieving energy independence for Nigeria.

The refinery reportedly insisted that its current refining capacity is sufficient to meet a significant portion of Nigeria’s daily petrol demand, reducing the need for fresh import licences.

Industry data released earlier by the NMDPRA indicated that the Dangote refinery currently supplies more than 90 per cent of petrol consumed daily in Nigeria, contributing to a sharp decline in fuel imports in recent months.

Reacting to the lawsuit in a statement issued on Sunday, DAPPMAN defended the regulator’s decision and warned that cancelling the licences could disrupt the country’s fuel distribution network.

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“The import licences at the centre of this lawsuit are not administrative courtesies. They are the legal instruments through which Nigeria’s fuel supply chain functions,” the association stated.

DAPPMAN said the licences were issued legally under the framework of the Petroleum Industry Act by a regulator empowered to safeguard national fuel supply.

“The NMDPRA has consistently maintained, correctly, that these licences exist to protect supply security, not to disadvantage any single producer, however large,” the marketers added.

The association said its members had committed billions of naira to depot infrastructure, fuel storage facilities, distribution logistics and compliance systems based on the validity of the import approvals granted by the regulator.

According to DAPPMAN, any legal attempt to retroactively void the licences would create uncertainty within the downstream petroleum industry at a sensitive time for Nigeria’s energy market.

“A legal action designed to retroactively void those licences does not just affect individual businesses, it introduces uncertainty into the entire downstream supply chain at a moment when Nigeria can least afford it,” the statement said.

The marketers also argued that while Dangote Refinery has the constitutional right to seek legal redress, no single private refinery should override the statutory responsibilities of regulators charged with ensuring fuel availability for Nigerians.

“What we do not accept is the premise that a private refinery’s commercial interests should override a regulatory authority’s mandate to ensure adequate supply to Nigerian consumers,” DAPPMAN said.

The association further maintained that Nigeria’s downstream oil sector was intentionally designed as a competitive market involving multiple operators rather than a monopoly structure dominated by one supplier.

“The downstream sector works because multiple players operate within it. A lawsuit that seeks to reduce that field of players is ultimately a lawsuit against Nigerian consumers,” the association added.

The legal battle has renewed concerns among industry stakeholders over possible market dominance and pricing control in the downstream petroleum sector if fuel imports are significantly restricted.

While some analysts believe Nigeria should gradually reduce petrol importation to encourage local refining and conserve foreign exchange, others argue that maintaining multiple supply channels remains necessary to prevent fuel scarcity and price instability.

The NMDPRA has repeatedly stated that import licences are issued based on prevailing market realities and supply requirements under the Petroleum Industry Act.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and the NMDPRA are yet to publicly respond in detail to the latest court action filed by Dangote Refinery.

The case is expected to test the interpretation of key provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act regarding fuel importation and local refining obligations in Nigeria’s evolving oil and gas sector.

DAPPMAN Reacts As Dangote Refinery Challenges Fuel Import Licences In Court

24-Hour Electricity Supply: Lagos Unveils Ambitious Plan To End Blackouts

The Lagos State Government has unveiled an ambitious and far-reaching strategy aimed at delivering 24-hour electricity supply in Lagos, ending persistent blackouts and transforming the state into Africa’s leading subnational electricity market.

The comprehensive electricity reform plan, announced on Monday, is expected to drive industrial growth, improve living standards, attract investors and support the state’s vision of building a round-the-clock economy powered by reliable and sustainable energy.

Speaking during the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing held at Alausa, Ikeja, the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr. Biodun Ogunleye, disclosed that the reforms are being driven by the implementation of the Lagos State Electricity Law 2024 signed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

According to Ogunleye, the new electricity law gives Lagos the legal framework to regulate, generate and distribute electricity independently while creating opportunities for massive private sector participation in the energy sector.

The commissioner described the law as a major turning point in the state’s efforts to solve decades-long electricity challenges and reduce dependence on Nigeria’s unstable national grid.

He said the government is targeting between 95 and 100 per cent electricity availability across Lagos by 2030, alongside universal metering coverage and a significant reduction in energy losses.

According to him, the state’s strategy to eliminate power outages will focus on independent power generation, embedded energy systems, smart infrastructure, strong regulation, investor-friendly policies and full metering of electricity consumers.

As part of the reforms, the Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission (LASERC) has commenced licensing electricity operators and enforcing standards within the state’s emerging electricity market. Ogunleye disclosed that 14 licences and permits have already been issued to operators involved in off-grid generation, mini-grid systems, embedded power supply, electricity distribution and metering services.

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The commissioner explained that the move is expected to attract more local and foreign investors into the Lagos electricity market while improving power reliability for homes, industries and businesses. He added that the state government would commence a 100 per cent metering initiative in Lagos from July 2026 in a bid to eliminate estimated billing and improve transparency in electricity billing across the state.

According to him, the government is also developing an artificial intelligence-powered electricity monitoring platform tagged the “Electric Eye of Lagos” to provide real-time monitoring of electricity generation, trading and distribution activities.

The commissioner further disclosed that Lagos is finalising electricity market rules, grid interface regulations and consumer supply codes to strengthen investor confidence and improve consumer protection.

Ogunleye stated that Lagos currently regulates 12 Independent Power Producers (IPPs), seven of which are already fully operational within the state. Energy analysts believe the expansion of independent power projects could significantly reduce pressure on the national grid and improve electricity access across residential and industrial communities.

The commissioner said the government was also advancing several major infrastructure projects designed to improve energy reliability and support industrial development. One of the flagship projects is the 37.7-kilometre Badagry electricity infrastructure corridor, which includes the construction of three high-voltage transmission towers across the Gbaji Lagoon and rehabilitation of 33kV electricity lines connecting Gbaji, Seme, Owode and Apa communities.

He added that the government is developing the Lekki–Epe Integrated Energy Corridor, which will feature a 132kV transmission line extending from Ajah to Alaro City alongside a gas pipeline network to support industries and commercial hubs within the Lekki economic zone.

On public lighting infrastructure, Ogunleye revealed that the state had deployed over 42,000 smart solar-powered streetlights across major highways and roads in Lagos. According to him, about 22,000 conventional streetlights have already been replaced with solar-powered systems along strategic corridors including the Gbagada–Oshodi Expressway, Lekki–Epe Expressway, Ikorodu Road and Lagos Island routes.

The commissioner said nearly 40,000 solar streetlights are currently operational statewide as part of efforts to improve security, reduce energy costs and promote renewable energy adoption.

Highlighting interventions in public institutions, Ogunleye disclosed that Gbagada General Hospital now enjoys between 21 and 22 hours of electricity daily following the installation of 2MVA and 1MVA transformers.

He added that renewable energy upgrades had also been completed in 52 secondary schools and 11 primary healthcare centres through lithium-ion battery replacement projects aimed at improving electricity supply in critical public institutions.

The commissioner also disclosed that Lagos is positioning itself as a major hub for cleaner transportation through investments in compressed natural gas (CNG) infrastructure and electric vehicle support systems.

According to him, 244 vehicles have already been converted to CNG, while 17 CNG stations are expected to become operational before the end of 2026. He added that more than 80,000 households now have access to cleaner cooking energy under the state’s LPG expansion programme.

Ogunleye further revealed that the government is developing the Oshodi Energy Hub, a multi-purpose facility expected to provide LPG, PMS, AGO, CNG, electric vehicle charging and vehicle conversion services.

In the mineral resources sector, the commissioner disclosed that the ministry had intensified enforcement against illegal dredging, sand overloading and unauthorised land reclamation activities across the state. He added that designated mining sites had been approved at Ilamija, Kajola, Orimedu and Akodo to support construction activities linked to the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway project.

The commissioner reaffirmed the Sanwo-Olu administration’s commitment to building a resilient and sustainable energy sector capable of supporting economic growth, industrial expansion and uninterrupted commercial activities across Lagos.

Industry experts say the reforms could transform Lagos into one of Africa’s most competitive electricity markets if fully implemented, particularly with plans to introduce dedicated 24-hour electricity franchise zones in Lagos later in 2026.

24-Hour Electricity Supply: Lagos Unveils Ambitious Plan To End Blackouts