Telecommunications companies MTN Nigeria and Huawei have jointly completed the commercial deployment of the inclusive RuralCow solution. This "one box, one site" innovation enables rapid, cost-effective mobile network rollout in remote rural areas. By connecting the unconnected, the solution helps narrow the digital divide between urban and rural communities, unlocks the latent demand for mobile communications in rural regions, and injects vital momentum into Nigeria's drive toward digital inclusion.

Nigeria is Africa's most populous nation, with rural residents accounting for nearly half of its population—about 105-million people (World Bank, 2024). In rural areas, the absence of reliable grid power and fiber transmission infrastructure makes the cost of building traditional base stations far higher than in urban areas. Moreover, according to Huawei's insights, most villages with populations of fewer than 3 000 are characterised by dispersed settlements and low average revenue per user, which results in a prolonged return on investment (ROI) period. These factors make it highly challenging for operators to build base stations in remote rural areas.

To accelerate the development of communications infrastructure in rural areas, Huawei and MTN jointly incubated the RuralCow solution to enable efficient mobile network rollout in remote rural areas. RuralCow features an integrated design combining baseband unit, remote radio unit [SD1] and transmission equipment, and supports multiple frequency bands and radio access technologies. Compared with traditional macro base stations, this solution cuts overall power consumption by about 85%, reduces the equipment quantity by roughly 70%, and requires no heavy machinery for installation. RuralCow operates without fiber or microwave links and can achieve non-line-of-sight transmission distances of up to about 30 km, significantly enhancing coverage in remote areas. Additionally, this solution incorporates intelligent remote operation and maintenance functions, minimising manual site visits and improving efficiency. Live network deployment statistics show that for villages with populations between 1 000 and 3 000, RuralCow shortens the ROI period from between five to ten years to around three years, delivering efficient coverage and sustainable commercialisation in underserved regions.

"We believe that everyone deserves the benefits of a modern connected life. Rapidly extending wireless coverage to remote rural areas and ensuring equal access to digital benefits is our shared mission," said MTN Nigeria CTO Yahaya Ibrahim.

"As a leading connectivity enabler for remote areas, we believe technology must benefit all,” said Huawei Wireless Network Product Line VP Fang Xiang. “Our RuralCow is simple and investment-efficient to deploy, which are essential for operators to build healthy, sustainable business ecosystems. Ultimately, we envision a fully connected world with no digital divide between urban and rural areas."

Huawei MTN Key Account Department VP Alex Xing said: "Rural connectivity in Africa is evolving from network rollout to sustainable business growth. By combining simplified site solutions including RuralCow with one-stop service centres, cloud phones and charging services, we are working with MTN to build a rural business model that lowers deployment costs while enabling new revenue opportunities. This approach is transforming rural connectivity from a coverage-driven activity into a scalable business model. Looking ahead, we will continue supporting MTN to expand this model across more African countries, help bridge the digital divide, and unlock Africa's connectivity potential. "