US govt announces deployment of wireless internet tech in Nigeria, other African countries

The United States government has announced the deployment of wireless internet infrastructure in Nigeria, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ghana. 

This was disclosed in a statement by the US Trade and Development Agency on Tuesday. 

The US government said the move was to connect off-grid communities across West Africa.

Commenting on the development, USTDA’s Deputy Director, Thomas Hardy, said the deployment would unlock widespread and trusted internet access in off-grid communities. 

“USTDA is bringing private sector solutions to unlock widespread, affordable, trusted internet access in off-grid communities across West Africa. 

“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.”

On his part, Andrew Beard, Chief Executive Officer of Vanu Inc., said, “Vanu is proud to partner with USTDA to demonstrate how our systems enable mobile network operators in West Africa to deliver broadband Internet and voice services in some of the most economically and operationally challenging markets and prove that connectivity in these markets can be profitable, sustainable, and scalable.”