Country: Benin

 “At MTN Benin, we believe sustainability is not an obligation but an opportunity to create shared value. By transforming our own paper waste into clean energy, we are reducing our footprint while empowering local green enterprises to shape a more resilient Benin.”

MTN Benin CEO: Uche Ofodile

The challenge and what MTN wanted to achieve

Across Benin, traditional wood charcoal remains a primary household cooking fuel, contributing to deforestation and environmental degradation. At the same time, large volumes of paper and organic waste are disposed of daily. Within our own operations, MTN Benin recognised both the environmental impact of office-generated paper waste and the opportunity to convert this waste into a productive resource. We set out to reduce our waste footprint, support local green enterprises and contribute to cleaner, more sustainable energy solutions.

What we did

To achieve this, MTN Benin partnered with ETS Arpy Reigns, a local enterprise based in Houedo-Adjagbo in Abomey-Calavi that produces ECO-SIKA ecological charcoal from organic waste. We introduced a structured waste-segregation system across our offices by installing labelled bins for paper collection. Our cleaning and maintenance teams coordinated daily collections, which were managed by Arpy Reigns. The collected paper was added to a broader organic waste stream that included agricultural residues such as corn leaves, cassava peels and rice husks. This material was then transformed into ECO-SIKA charcoal, a non-polluting, affordable and smokeless alternative cooking fuel.

Outcomes and impact

Since the partnership began, more than 20 tons of MTN Benin’s paper waste have been recycled through the Eco-Charcoal programme. This reduced the volume of waste sent to landfill while supporting our carbon-reduction objectives. The initiative also generated income through the sale of ecological charcoal and promoted green entrepreneurship at a local level. In addition, the project created jobs in waste collection and processing and provided targeted training and material support for people with disabilities. By replacing wood-based charcoal with a waste-derived energy source, the project helped to combat deforestation, lower greenhouse gas emissions and protect biodiversity. ECO-SIKA charcoal proved to be efficient, smokeless and non-blackening, improving indoor air quality and reducing damage to household cooking utensils.