Arlington, VA – Today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency announced grant funding for a feasibility study that will support the efforts of Hotspot Network Limited to expand digital access for millions of Nigerians living in underserved rural communities.
“USTDA is helping Nigeria’s public and private sectors build an economy that is more inclusive for all Nigerians,” said Enoh T. Ebong, USTDA’s Acting Director. “Our support for the country’s digital infrastructure is critically important for Nigeria’s efforts and to U.S. companies as they demonstrate how their technologies can help Nigeria bridge the digital divide.”
The objective of USTDA’s study is to support the deployment of up to 2,000 mobile network base stations in select rural communities in Nigeria. The study will assess Nigeria’s rural telephony market, as well as define the project’s technical options, human resource requirements, cost and revenue options, and recommended financing and implementation plans.
USTDA’s support for this project is an outcome of its Memorandum of Understanding with Nigeria’s Infrastructure Credit Guarantee Company to develop bankable infrastructure projects and bring them to market for InfraCredit’s investment-catalyzing guarantees.
“USTDA’s grant will be pivotal to our project’s future success, as it will help unlock the kind of long-term concessionary financing that high-impact, technology-driven projects like this require,” said Mr. Morenikeji Aniye, Chief Executive Officer of Hotspot. “This project is a potent catalyst for integrating rural economies with the urban and global digital ecosystem in a sustainable and economically viable way. We appreciate our partnership with USTDA to deepen digital inclusion in Nigeria.”
Hotspot Network Limited has been in discussions with InfraCredit to support the scaling of its rural telephony project. “We are pleased that through our strategic relationship with USTDA, Hotspot will benefit from USTDA’s project preparatory assistance which will enhance the quality of the project development. These collaborations are essential to expand the market for much needed good quality projects that can access long term domestic credit with InfraCredit’s local currency guarantees,” said Chinua Azubike, Chief Executive Officer of InfraCredit.
This activity supports Access Africa, a USTDA initiative to develop information and communications technology across Africa, and Prosper Africa, a U.S. government initiative to substantially increase two-way trade and investment between the United States and Africa.
The U.S. Trade and Development Agency helps companies create U.S. jobs through the export of U.S. goods and services for priority infrastructure projects in emerging economies. USTDA links U.S. businesses to export opportunities by funding project preparation and partnership building activities that develop sustainable infrastructure and foster economic growth in partner countries.
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