Ericsson, MTN connect rural Benin with solar-powered towers

Ericsson and MTN are partnering to provide mobile broadband services to remote rural areas in Benin using solar power.

Under the deal, Ericsson will support MTN Benin's planned rural coverage across 29 sites with energy-efficient Ericsson Radio System products.

All the sites will run sustainably on 100% solar and battery power, running on clean and reliable energy sources and reducing the operator's carbon footprint.

"Expanding mobile broadband services across Benin, and in rural areas in particular, is a vision we share with Ericsson. By bringing connectivity to Benin's communities, we ensure MTN's contribution to the digital economic development, empowerment of the local population, and strengthening of the network infrastructure in Benin," said MTN Benin CEO Uche Ofodile about the deal.

Power supply issues in Africa have forced operators to search out alternative power solutions for towers, especially to connect remote areas.

In Cameroon, MTN signed a collaboration framework agreement with the Rural Electrification Agency (AER) in June 2023 to supply rural mobile sites with solar energy.

Also in June, MTN launched an integrated wind and solar renewable energy generation project in South Africa. MTN said it was the first in a series of projects it is planning to unlock off-grid, clean and reliable energy alternatives in the country, which is battling major power shortages.

Enabling a digitally included Benin

Ericsson's technology and services will support MTN Benin by enabling efficient and flexible broadband coverage to areas of the country that have limited or no connectivity, with aims to drive a digital inclusion.

An aerial view of a solar powered tower project. (Source: Ericsson.)

The rural coverage solution from Ericsson also includes managed services, which will incorporate the provision of preventive and corrective maintenance activities for the tower sites.

"In today's interconnected world, access to reliable and affordable mobile broadband services is critical for social and economic progress," said Hossam Kandeel, VP and head of global customer unit MTN and customer unit MTN Africa at Ericsson.

"Rolling out solar solutions, as we are doing with MTN Benin, promotes greener site solutions and reduces environmental impact supporting MTN's Road to Zero Carbon emissions, a pledge which Ericsson joined and expressed commitment to in 2022," Kandeel added.

Last month, Ericsson's latest Mobility Report forecast that sub-Saharan Africa's mobile subscriptions will top 1 billion by 2028, with operators expected to continue investing in network infrastructure, driven by a large youthful population and a high demand for connectivity across the continent.

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*Top image source: Image by ASphotofamily on Freepik.

— Paula Gilbert, Editor, Connecting Africa