• International Finance Corporation invests $45 million to power 2,235 telecom sites with solar energy across Ethiopia, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.

• The initiative targets sites with unstable or no access to national grids, aiming to cut operators’ electricity costs by up to 52% in Ethiopia.

• IFC expects improved network reliability to enhance mobile coverage, support digital services, and potentially reduce service costs.

African telecom operators face persistent energy challenges, with unstable grids and high reliance on diesel generators. International Finance Corporation announced a $45 million investment on March 23 to deploy solar power systems and batteries for telecom sites in Ethiopia, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.

The financing targets IPT PowerTech, a T-ESCO specialized in energy services for telecommunications. The project will modernize, operate, and maintain 2,235 sites, roughly 90% of which are off-grid or in areas with unreliable electricity.

IFC expects the solar installations to lower mobile network outages and reduce diesel dependence. Cost reductions for operators could reach 30% in Liberia, 26% in Sierra Leone, and 52% in Ethiopia. The move aligns with GSMA recommendations for African operators to expand renewable energy usage to mitigate energy-related operational risks.

“By enhancing electricity stability for telecom infrastructure, this initiative will strengthen mobile coverage and deliver more reliable digital services to households, schools, health centers, and SMEs,” the IFC said. Improved energy reliability may also lower service prices and encourage adoption.

DataReportal estimates Sierra Leone has 8.94 million mobile subscriptions and 1.85 million internet users among 8.86 million people. Liberia records 5.54 million subscriptions and 1.73 million internet users among 5.76 million residents, while Ethiopia reports 93.2 million mobile subscriptions and 29.5 million internet users for 136 million people.

However, multiple SIM ownership inflates subscription figures, and ITU penetration rates for 2024 show mobile adoption at 50.3% in Sierra Leone, 54.8% in Liberia, and 52.7% in Ethiopia, with internet penetration at 25.1%, 32.2%, and 21.99%, respectively. IFC cautioned that network availability alone does not guarantee higher service adoption, which also depends on device access, electricity for charging, affordability, and digital literacy.

The investment forms part of a broader push to integrate renewables into African telecom operations, improving sustainability and operational efficiency while fostering digital inclusion in underserved areas.

Isaac K. Kassouwi