2 weeks Ago By Guardian Nigeria
The West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA) has called on policymakers, regulators and industry leaders across the region to prioritize green telecommunications and affordable spectrum pricing to drive sustainable digital growth in West Africa. WATRA Chairman and Director-General of Sierra Leone’s National Communications Authority (NatCA), Amara Brewah, made this call at the Mobile World Congress (MWC25) in Barcelona, Spain and emphasised the need for sustainable telecom practices that align with climate commitments while fostering economic and social transformation. In his speech, titled: ‘Green Telecommunications – Policies and Practices for More Sustainability’, Brewah highlighted the rapid growth of the telecom sector in West Africa and the opportunities it presents for progress in commerce, education, healthcare and governance.
However, he cautioned that this expansion comes with environmental consequences, including rising energy consumption and increased electronic waste. Addressing these challenges through policy reforms and technological innovations, he argued, is crucial for ensuring that telecommunications contribute to a more sustainable future. Brewah called on regulators and industry leaders to adopt energy-efficient infrastructure, integrate renewable energy into network operations and develop comprehensive policies for managing electronic waste.
The future of telecommunications must be both inclusive and sustainable, Brewah noted, adding, “West Africa has the opportunity to lead in green telecommunications by promoting energy efficiency, supporting solar-powered infrastructure, and implementing robust e-waste management policies.” He proposed harmonised environmental standards across the region to create an investment-friendly regulatory environment, including carbon reduction targets, sustainability incentives, and transparency in measuring telecom operations’ environmental impact. He also encouraged public-private partnerships to drive innovation in clean energy solutions for the sector.
At the Ministerial Programme of MWC25, Brewah participated in two roundtables and delivered a country presentation on spectrum challenges, emphasizing direct-to-device connectivity and affordable spectrum pricing as a key driver of digital equality. Representing Sierra Leone alongside regulators from 11 other countries, he highlighted the pressing issue of high spectrum costs as a major barrier to digital inclusion in developing regions. During the session on spectrum pricing, Brewah emphasised that high spectrum costs remain a major barrier to digital inclusion in developing regions.
He called on governments to adopt policies that lower barriers to entry, promote investment, and facilitate the widespread adoption of emerging technologies such as 4G, 5G, and the future rollout of 6G. The WATRA boss highlighted key spectrum bands identified by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) that could significantly expand broadband connectivity and drive economic growth. “Affordable spectrum pricing is essential to ensuring universal mobile access,” Brewah stated.
“By making Spectrum more accessible, we empower communities, expand connectivity, and enable digital solutions that transform lives.”.
