Telecom
NCC Tasks Incoming NASS on Critical Infrastructure Bill
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has urged the incoming National Assembly to look into and ensure the passage of the Critical Infrastructure Bill to address the issue of vandalisation and theft of telecommunication infrastructure in the industry.
The NCC believed that if this is done, it will also help to tackle the problem of poor quality of service that has defied every measures adopted in the country.
Dr. Eugene Juwah, executive vice chairman of the Commission,, said that the only way to address the issue of poor quality of service is to have a pervasive infrastructure and ensure that such are adequately protected.
He stated that even though the Nigerian telecommunications industry has grown in leaps and bounds with active voice subscriber base of about 142.5 million, a teledensity of about 101.8 per cent, about 83.2 million Internet subscribers and Foreign Direct Investment of about N32 billion, the infrastructure on ground today was inadequate to cope with the high number of subscribers in the country.
He said: “As at 2001, the Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL), which was supposed provide the backbone for the new telecommunication operators was already moribund and in other countries, the telecommunication infrastructure on ground was what the incumbent telecoms operators relied upon to deploy services, we need to put in place adequate infrastructure to meet the demand of our population and thereby provide good quality service to telecom consumers in the country.
“For instance, in the Federal Capital Territory, no approval has been given for sitting of new base stations for many years, although recently there was a change of mind for additional base station the technology of GSM is inter cellular and requires adequate coverage to avoid drop calls.
No permission has been given for sitting of new base station at the National Assembly since the past five years.
“The issue of quality of service would be addressed if more infrastructures were deployed across the country.
We have engaged the governors on this issue through the Nigerian Governors Forum and the governors complained that telecom operators destroy our roads and don’t cover them, they must give us a guarantee that anytime they dig the rods, they must cover it up.
“We came up with a guideline and in the guidelines, we agreed that the first person that is going there puts the infrastructure for everybody so that other operators don’t have to dig the road anymore but he governors are not signing the guidelines for putting telecom infrastructure, every state need to sign to address the problem”.
Google has launched its Search Live feature globally to over 200 countries, including Nigeria, where AI Mode is available, enabling voice-and-camera conversations in users’ preferred languages.
Powered by the new multilingual Gemini 3.1 Flash Live model, it delivers natural, real-time interactions via the Google app on Android or iOS—tap the Live icon under the Search bar.
Ideal for hands-free help, users can speak queries for audio replies, follow-ups, or web links. Camera integration adds visual context, like troubleshooting a shelving unit, or pairs with Google Lens for real-world chats.
From the app or Lens, Nigerians can now explore, learn, or solve tasks instantly, boosting everyday productivity worldwide.
Clean and reliable power for telecom networks in Ethiopia, Liberia, and Sierra Leone will be expanded following a $45 million investment by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in IPT PowerTech.
The investment targets countries where limited power supply continues to slow digital connectivity and broader economic participation, the institution stated earlier this week.
To enable this expansion, the IFC is providing a $45 million corporate financing package consisting of an A-loan of $27 million and $18 million in blended finance.
The blended portion is sourced from the Canada-IFC Blended Climate Finance Programme and the IDA20 Private Sector Window Blended Finance Facility.
The initiative marks the IFC’s first direct infrastructure engagement in Liberia in a decade and in Sierra Leone in six years.
It will help scale solar- and battery-based power systems that reduce reliance on diesel and support greener, more resilient telecom networks.
By improving the quality and stability of power to telecom towers, the initiative will strengthen mobile coverage and ensure that households, schools, health centres, and small businesses can depend on consistent digital services, said the IFC.
The funding supports the modernisation, operation, and maintenance of 2 235 telecom sites across the three nations. More than 90% of these are located in off-grid or weak-grid locations.
With new solar and battery systems powering these sites, mobile networks will experience fewer outages and improved service quality.
Optimising the energy mix is estimated to reduce power costs for operators by up to 30% in Liberia, 26% in Sierra Leone, and 52% in Ethiopia.
This transition is also expected to cut emissions by more than 10 624 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. Furthermore, the partnership will promote gender inclusion by expanding opportunities for women in technical, operational, and leadership roles within the sector, says the IFC.
This agreement reflects a shared vision for a greener telecom industry and empowers the company to scale its innovative energy platforms, according to Nabil Haddad, CEO of IPT PowerTech Group.
Reliable and affordable power for telecom networks is a cornerstone of Africa’s digital transformation, said Nathalie Kouassi-Akon, IFC regional director for West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea.
Through this partnership, the institution is supporting a scalable, private sector-led solution that enables mobile operators to reach underserved and fragile communities more sustainably, added Kouassi-Akon.
The project advances the World Bank Group and African Development Bank’s Mission 300 initiative, which aims to provide electricity to 300 million Africans by 2030.
Expedier has unveiled “Expedier for Business,” an online pro-banking platform to simplify global payments, multi-currency transactions, and financial operations for expanding companies.
Kingsley Madu
The tool centralizes payments, invoicing, payroll, and treasury into one secure dashboard, tackling challenges like fragmented systems and poor visibility that hinder international scaling.
Kingsley Madu, Co-Founder and CEO of Expedier, said: “African businesses are increasingly global… Expedier for Business was built to simplify how companies manage money across borders while maintaining visibility, control, and compliance.”
Key features include customizable dashboards for payments, invoices, and workflows; support for USD, CAD, GBP, EUR, and more; virtual cards; automated payroll/invoicing; currency swaps; and real-time tracking.
Security measures cover two-factor authentication, KYC/KYB verification, and team access controls.
As cross-border trade and remote work boom in Africa, the platform aids firms dealing with international suppliers, teams, and customers. It is now available for organizations scaling globally.
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