\n Mordor Intelligence<\/a> projects renewable-powered telecom sites will expand at an 11.68% compound annual growth rate through 2031, with the market potentially exceeding $694 million if retrofit targets are achieved. \n <\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n Telecom operators accelerate solar investments
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n <\/p>\n
\n Major telecom operators across Africa are accelerating investments in solar infrastructure as rising fuel and electricity costs increase pressure on network operations.
\n <\/p>\n
\n Vodacom Group said energy costs rose 5% to $300 million in 2025 because of higher electricity tariffs and fuel prices, while Safaricom raised $153.6 million through green bonds partly to support telecom tower solarisation projects.
\n <\/p>\n
\n According to the Associated Press, Atlas Tower Kenya recently announced a $52.5 million investment to construct 300 solar-powered telecom towers serving operators including Safaricom, Airtel Africa and Telkom Kenya. The company said 82% of its existing 500 towers are already solar powered.
\n <\/p>\n
\n Some African telecom firms began moving into renewable energy years earlier. In 2018, Econet Wireless Zimbabwe committed more than $250 million to solar energy projects after securing a licence to construct and operate a solar plant at its Willovale site in Harare.
\n <\/p>\n
\n Operators are also beginning to record savings from the transition. MTN Group operations in South Sudan reportedly reduced fuel spending by about 30% after deploying solar systems, while Airtel Africa and ENGIE Energy Access cut diesel use by more than half at sites in Zambia and Congo.
\n <\/p>\n
\n IHS Towers said its Project Green initiative generated annual savings of about $49 million, strengthening the business case for renewable energy adoption across telecom networks.
\n <\/p>\n
\n Investor appetite for renewable infrastructure is also growing. Mauritius-based CrossBoundary Energy recently secured a $40 million investment to expand renewable energy projects across sub-Saharan Africa, while GreenWish Partners earmarked about $800 million for solar-powered telecom tower projects across the continent.
\n <\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n China\u2019s export policy raises fresh concerns
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n <\/p>\n
\n The transition, however, still leaves Africa heavily reliant on imported solar equipment from China, which dominates global panel manufacturing.
\n <\/p>\n