The challenge and what we wanted to achieve 

When MTN Ghana committed to accelerating its Project Zero ambitions, the absence of renewable energy at MTN House, the company’s head office in Accra, stood out as a critical gap. For Jojo Karifala, Manager for Facilities Projects Implementation, the challenge was clear: MTN needed to begin reducing the carbon footprint of its own estate if it was serious about leading the shift to clean energy. 

The company’s long-term ambition was to transition MTN House toward a resilient, cost-efficient and sustainable energy model that would support both operational needs and MTN’s environmental commitments. Introducing solar energy aligned directly with MTN’s purpose to enable progress and improve lives through responsible business practices, while contributing to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). 

What we did 

With capital funding approved under MTN Ghana’s CAPEX programme, Karifala coordinated a cross-functional effort to deliver the first large-scale renewable energy installation at MTN House. The Power Operations team designed the system architecture and integrated it into the building’s power network. Procurement support from GSSC ensured the engagement of a qualified vendor, Process and Plants Ltd., while the General Services, Safety and Security teams oversaw safe, compliant execution throughout construction. The Enterprise and Facilities Implementation team, led by Karifala, managed overall project delivery, ensuring timelines, vendor coordination and technical quality were met. The Sustainability team guided alignment with MTN’s environmental strategy, while extensive stakeholder engagement supported the acquisition of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) permits, including approval to clear selected undeveloped trees to construct the solar panel support structure. 

Outcomes and impact 

The team successfully installed a renewable energy solution that transformed the way MTN House consumed power. The installation of the 574kWp photovoltaic solar system delivered substantial and measurable gains. During daytime operational hours (6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.), the system supplied 32% to 38% of MTN House’s energy needs, contributing an average of 27% of total daily consumption. This clean-energy shift is expected to reduce MTN Ghana’s carbon emissions by 393.6 tonnes per year, equivalent to planting between 12,000 and 18,000 trees. With a projected annual generation of 842.5 MWh, the system is estimated to save the company GHS 1.7 million annually in avoided energy costs.  

Beyond the numbers, the project increased organisational awareness of renewable energy, strengthened cross-team collaboration and reinforced a culture of environmental accountability. Most importantly, it enhanced energy resilience for MTN House, ensuring more stable power for essential business systems and customer-facing operations.  

Lessons learnt 

Karifala states that a lesson learnt was on the value of early cross-functional collaboration, especially when technical, regulatory and operational considerations intersect. The importance of securing environmental permits early to avoid delays in implementation cannot be understated. The experience also demonstrated the need for continuous monitoring and optimisation of the solar system to sustain long-term performance.