Background

Nigeria is advancing a pilot carbon tax tailored to the telecommunications sector, a high-impact area due to its reliance on diesel-powered infrastructure to ensure network uptime. Building on feasibility work under the Ci-ACA (Collaborative Instruments for Ambitious Climate Action) initiative, stakeholders have identified a carbon tax as a practical, near-term option to drive emissions reductions, complement Nigeria’s NDC targets and long-term low-emission development strategies.

This validation workshop, organized by the Regional Collaboration Centre West and Central Africa is a milestone to review and confirm the pilot design elements, align on roles and responsibilities, and strengthen buy-in across government, regulators, telecom operators, and technical partners.

Objectives

• Present the proposed design framework for a pilot carbon tax in the telecom sector (coverage, institutional setup, monitoring, reporting and verification requirements, and policy options).
• Validate stakeholder inputs gathered through prior consultations to ensure accuracy, representation and inclusivity.
• Confirm alignment with national climate policy, including the NDCs and LT-LEDS.
• Assess feasibility and readiness (timelines, roles, inter-agency coordination).
• Discuss revenue use/fiscal integration and safeguards to ensure equity and development co-benefits.
• Strengthen stakeholder ownership and agree next steps toward pilot implementation, including potential regulatory/legislative pathways.
• Reaffirm how carbon pricing can support international cooperation, transparency and climate finance opportunities.

Expected outcomes

• Validation and endorsement of the proposed carbon tax framework for Nigeria’s telecommunications sector, including design elements and MRV requirements.
• Consensus on implementation pathways, institutional roles, and coordination mechanisms to operationalize the pilot.
• Strengthened stakeholder ownership and commitment to ensure inclusivity, transparency, and long-term sustainability.
• Identification of capacity-building needs and support measures to enable effective compliance and adaptive implementation.

Target audience

Telecommunications industry, government and regulators, Non-Corporate Communication Channels (NCCCs), sector regulators, revenue and standards agencies, competition/consumer protection, customs and statistics offices, policy entities, communications and digital economy, finance, planning, industry and trade, power, works and housing, transport, petroleum, energy and meteorology.

Others: UNFCCC National Focal Point, academia, NGOs/CSOs, national experts and training institutes.