NCC Pushes Green Telecoms Initiative to Boost Environmental Sustainability at 50% Cost Reduction »

In line with emerging global best practice, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has reiterated its commitment towards accelerating the Green Telecoms Initiative in order to move the country’s digital infrastructure towards sustainable eco-friendly technologies.

The Commission projects that this would lead to 50per cent cost reduction among other benefits, adding that part of the ways to achieve this is by encouraging operators to adopt renewable energy solutions over carbon heavy generating sets with a view to cutting operating cost by 30- 50 per cent while advancing environmental sustainability in the sector.

Speaking at the just concluded Green Conference, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the Commission, Dr Aminu Maida, highlighted that embracing the initiative would to a large extent, enable telecommunications operators in the country to achieve the dual purpose of cost reduction while promoting eco-friendly and sustainable operating environment for the country.

Maida, who was represented by Mr. Shuaibu Swade, the Commission’s head of Projects, said: “Nigeria’s telecommunications sector now sits at the critical intersection of connectivity and environmental sustainability.

“As a telecommunications regulator, we stand at the intersection of connectivity and sustainability. Telecommunications is the backbone of the digital economy, but it must also become a backbone of environmental responsibility.

“The expansion of digital infrastructure across Nigeria presents both an opportunity and a responsibility for the sector to reduce carbon emissions. We also wish to put it on record that telecoms operators are increasingly adopting energy‑efficient technologies and renewable‑power base stations as part of the industry’s transition towards greener infrastructure,” EVC NCC said.

He also explained that part of the objectives of the ongoing initiatives was to promote infrastructure sharing among operators, encouraging renewable energy solutions for telecom towers and improving responsible management of electronic waste generated by digital equipment.

Currently the NCC is strengthening Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), reporting standards across the telecommunications ecosystem to improve transparency and accountability on sustainability practices

According to the Commission, digital technologies themselves help reduce emissions by enabling remote work, digital services and smart solutions that reduce the need for travel and other carbon‑intensive activities.

The EVC, NCC informed stakeholders at the event that the future of connectivity must be green and that the time to act is now.

Some stakeholders, who spoke at the event acknowledged that green telecommunications networks are not only environmentally responsible but also economically beneficial, noting that while they help reduce operational costs, they also improve network resilience and expand connectivity to underserved rural communities in the country.