The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) has launched an initiative to accelerate the deployment of American-made wireless infrastructure across West Africa, targeting underserved and off-grid communities.
As part of the effort, USTDA is funding a feasibility study for the installation of approximately 1,500 mobile communications base stations across Nigeria, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana.
The project will be led by Massachusetts-based technology company Vanu Inc., with support from Georgia-based Vernonburg Group LLC, which will provide technical expertise and assess the commercial viability of the large-scale deployment.
According to USTDA, the initiative is aimed at expanding affordable and reliable internet access while offering an alternative to the Chinese-made wireless systems that currently dominate the region.
USTDA Deputy Director Thomas Hardy said the project would help bridge connectivity gaps in underserved communities while creating opportunities for American technology companies.
He noted that the initiative supports the deployment of trusted digital infrastructure, promotes U.S. exports and expands access to mobile communication services across West Africa.
The feasibility study will examine existing telecommunications infrastructure, market conditions, regulatory frameworks and financing options in the four participating countries.
It will also develop a roadmap for attracting investment and implementing the project at scale.
USTDA said the initiative is expected to generate opportunities for the deployment of U.S.-made wireless equipment, network management systems and other digital infrastructure solutions.
The planned expansion is designed to address the region’s urban-rural connectivity gap and provide millions of people with improved access to broadband internet and voice services.
Vanu Inc. Chief Executive Officer Andrew Beard said the company’s technology is designed to help mobile network operators deliver broadband services in remote and economically challenging areas.
According to him, the project will demonstrate that expanding connectivity in underserved markets can be profitable, sustainable and scalable.
He added that the study would help attract new investment, increase U.S. exports and support the deployment of secure digital infrastructure across Africa.
The initiative forms part of broader efforts to improve digital connectivity, boost economic activity and expand internet access in communities that have traditionally relied on limited or outdated mobile networks.
