Amara Brewah, chairman of the West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA) and director general of Sierra Leone’s National Communications Authority (NatCA), has urged policymakers, regulators, and industry leaders across the region to prioritise green telecommunications and affordable spectrum pricing to drive sustainable digital growth.
Speaking at the Mobile World Congress (MWC25) in Spain, Brewah spoke on the urgent need for the telecommunications sector to align with global climate commitments while fostering economic and social transformation.
In his speech, he highlighted the region’s rapid telecom expansion and its far-reaching impact on commerce, education, healthcare, and governance. However, he warned that unchecked growth could exacerbate environmental concerns, including rising energy consumption and electronic waste.
“The telecom industry must lead by example in sustainability efforts,” Brewah stated. “West Africa has an opportunity to pioneer green telecommunications by promoting energy-efficient networks, supporting solar-powered infrastructure, and enforcing robust electronic waste management policies.”
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Brewah called for widespread adoption of energy-efficient infrastructure, integration of renewable energy into network operations, and the implementation of comprehensive e-waste management policies.
“The future of telecommunications must be both inclusive and sustainable. We cannot achieve true digital progress if it comes at the cost of environmental degradation,” he stressed.
According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), ICT-related emissions could rise to 14 percent of global carbon emissions by 2040 if sustainable practices are not adopted.
To create an investment-friendly regulatory environment, Brewah proposed harmonised environmental standards across the region, including carbon reduction targets, sustainability incentives, and greater transparency in measuring telecom operations’ environmental impact.
He also called for stronger public-private partnerships to drive innovation in clean energy solutions, particularly in powering rural telecommunications infrastructure with renewable energy sources.
The WATRA boss further emphasised the importance of affordable spectrum pricing in promoting digital equality, noting that the high cost of spectrum remains a significant barrier to connectivity in developing regions.
“The cost of spectrum should not be a bottleneck to digital inclusion,” Brewah stated. “Lowering these costs will not only encourage investment but will also accelerate the adoption of emerging technologies such as 4G, 5G, and eventually 6G.”
According to a report by the GSMA, African nations often pay higher spectrum prices relative to GDP per capita than their counterparts in Europe and North America, making it more difficult for operators to expand coverage, particularly in rural areas.
The ITU has identified key spectrum bands that could significantly expand broadband access if allocated efficiently and at reasonable costs.
