Africa’s cellphone towers turn to solar as diesel costs surge
Cellphone tower operators across Africa are increasingly adopting solar power to mitigate rising diesel costs and improve energy reliability. The shift is driven by economic pressures, supply disruptions, and climate goals, particularly in off-grid regions. Companies like Vodacom, Safaricom, and iSAT Africa are investing in solar and hybrid systems to reduce emissions and operational expenses.
- ▪Diesel powers most of Africa’s 500,000 telecom towers, but rising prices linked to the Iran conflict have increased costs and supply challenges.
- ▪Atlas Tower Kenya plans to invest $52.5 million in 300 new solar-powered towers and already has 82% of its 500 towers running on solar energy.
- ▪Safaricom raised $153.6 million in green bonds to transition its towers to solar, while Vodacom Africa reported a rise in energy costs to $300 million in 2025.
- ▪In Nigeria, the removal of fuel subsidies in 2023 caused diesel prices to surge by up to 200%, increasing annual tower operating costs to $400 million.
- ▪Firms such as iSAT Africa, Orange, MTN Group, and Airtel Africa are expanding solar-powered and hybrid tower networks to cut emissions and reliance on diesel.
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ABC NewsLiveVideoShowsGood Morning AmericaShopGMAInterest Successfully AddedWe'll notify you here with news aboutTurn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? OffOnStream onAfrica’s cellphone towers turn to solar as diesel costs surgeCellphone tower operators across Africa are increasingly turning to solar power to reduce reliance on costly diesel fuel and expand connectivity in off-grid areasByALLAN OLINGO Associated PressMay 2, 2026, 12:04 AM1:55A telecommunications tower stands in Kajiado, Kenya, Saturday, April 25, 2026.
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