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Recognizing the far-reaching environmental impact of plastics, MTN Rwanda is actively committed to reducing plastic use throughout our operations and product offerings. In 2023, we embarked on a groundbreaking initiative to replace traditional plastic SIM cards with a more sustainable and biodegradable alternative. This decision reflects our dedication to responsible innovation that aligns with global efforts to combat the plastic waste crisis.

We are meticulously investigating a range of materials to find the optimal solution for this sustainable SIM card transformation. Our commitment extends beyond simply changing the SIM card material. We are carefully considering impacts on customer devices and the planet. As part of this comprehensive due diligence, we will require FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification for all forest-based materials used in the manufacturing process. This internationally recognized certification ensures that our SIM card suppliers prioritize responsibly managed forests, protecting biodiversity and promoting long-term sustainability.

Importantly, the paper-based SIM holders will not interfere with handset operation in any way. We have thoroughly evaluated potential risks and ensured that the design will deliver seamless connectivity for our customers. We are thrilled to launch this innovative and environmentally conscious product in 2024, contributing to a greener future for the telecommunications industry.

The three BTS sites, Jacana, Paludar and Konge, were originally powered by landlord generators and consumed fuel. The continuous operations (24/7) resulted in environmental pollution from emissions and ambient noise, in addition to high operating costs. The Konge BTS site had low availability, which impacted user experience while the Paludar and Jacana BTS sites had high operating costs as a result of the continuous use of the generator.

The implemented solar solution eliminated the need for continuous generator use, resulting in reduced fuel consumption. We saved over 5 100 litres of fuel across all sites. Additional benefits include:

We faced challenges during implementation, including:

The adoption of solar power at BTS sites facilitates infrastructure development in regions lacking traditional power sources. These reliable, solar-powered BTS sites enable the expansion of telecommunication networks into remote and underserved areas, promoting economic growth and social inclusion. Improved connectivity provides access to information, education, healthcare and economic opportunities, empowering communities and driving local development. Overall, this initiative has the potential to spur economic growth, promote environmental sustainability and enhance overall resilience and connectivity within communities.

We are proud to announce significant strides in our commitment to sustainability and reducing our carbon footprint, in alignment with MTN Group’s Environmental Strategy. In 2023, in partnership with I-Engineering, we launched the groundbreaking Energy Service Company (ESCO) project as PaaS, an initiative aimed at revolutionising our energy consumption patterns. This project will deliver 305 solar BTS sites across the region over the term of the agreement. MTN South Sudan has already achieved a remarkable 30% reduction in fuel costs, reflecting our dedication to environmental stewardship and operational efficiency. This initiative not only supports our green energy goals but also enhances the reliability and expansion of our network, particularly in and around the capital city, Juba.

Furthering our efforts, we successfully integrated two major data centres and other facilities into the National GRID. This transition is set to significantly decrease carbon emissions and contribute to our ongoing operational expenditure reduction drive. In addition to these achievements, we have also reinforced our network’s reliability in high revenue areas by procuring 11-20KVA diesel generators, ensuring stability and redundancy to GRID power. These initiatives underscore our commitment to a sustainable future at MTN South Sudan. They enhance community connections while fostering environmental responsibility. We are excited to continue this journey and lead the way in sustainable telecommunications in South Sudan.

In recent years, loadshedding/power outages have posed significant challenges to South Africa’s infrastructure, impacting various sectors including telecommunications. In 2023, the frequency of loadshedding surged dramatically, to a 1 000% increase compared to 2021. Amid this energy crisis, MTN South Africa found itself navigating through operational hurdles, particularly in sustaining network reliability amid power outages. To ensure continuity, MTN South Africa resorted to extensive utilisation of diesel generators, incurring substantial costs to maintain operations at an optimal level. However, this reliance on diesel came at a cost beyond monetary implications. The heightened diesel consumption not only strained operational budgets but also posed a significant setback to the company’s sustainability goals, contributing to increased carbon emissions. Recognising the urgent need to mitigate both financial and environmental impacts, MTN South Africa embarked on a proactive initiative – the inception of the MTN South Africa Solar Park. This visionary project aims to harness renewable energy sources to power the company’s infrastructure, thereby reducing reliance on conventional fossil fuels and minimising carbon footprint.

The design and development of the MTN South Africa Solar Park represent a pivotal step towards achieving energy independence and sustainability. The Solar Park boasts a 5MW Solar PV installation complemented by a robust 2MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) with a capacity of 6MWh (megawatt-hours). The MTN Solar Park’s Solar PV array harnesses the abundant solar energy resources, leveraging state-of-the-art photovoltaic technology to generate clean and renewable electricity. With a capacity of 5MW, this solar installation stands as a beacon of sustainability, capable of powering MTN South Africa’s campus operations with clean energy during daylight hours. For the BESS, the advanced solution empowers MTN South Africa to optimise energy utilisation by storing surplus solar energy generated during the day for deployment during periods of high demand or during nighttime hours.

The integration of the Solar PV, BESS and gas generators enables the campus to achieve energy autonomy, significantly reducing reliance on the municipal grid and diesel generators. By leveraging stored solar energy, MTN South Africa can seamlessly power its campus operations, ensuring uninterrupted service delivery while mitigating environmental impact and reducing operational costs. The campus is expected to significantly reduce its dependence on the municipal grid and diesel generators, achieving a remarkable 40% reduction in reliance on conventional energy sources.

The initiative encountered multifaceted challenges necessitating meticulous planning and execution. Beyond the monumental civil and structural groundwork, the implementation of the solar PV and battery components proved to be highly intricate, particularly within a campus already managing three distinct energy sources – diesel, gas and the grid. Navigating the complexities of integrating multiple energy generation sources posed significant hurdles in terms of control and distribution of power. Managing the seamless co‑ordination of these diverse energy inputs demanded sophisticated systems and precise oversight to ensure optimal performance and reliability. Furthermore, the task of monitoring all five energy sources – including the newly introduced solar PV and battery systems – presented an additional layer of complexity. With a vast array of components comprising 9 159 panels, 14 inverters, two transformers, and two battery containers, the monitoring process required meticulous attention to detail and advanced technological solutions. We are committed to overcoming challenges and are progressing, with dedicated efforts focused on streamlining operations, enhancing monitoring capabilities, and ensuring seamless integration of the solar PV and battery components into the existing energy infrastructure.

MTN breaks new ground in our renewable energy integration. Drawing from the invaluable insights and lessons gleaned from this landmark project, we are poised to replicate the learnings at our data centres and switching centres. This strategic expansion reaffirms reduction to our overall energy expenditure and reinforces our commitment to sustainability. We continue our exploration of emerging technologies, particularly those aligned with our zero-carbon aspirations. Looking forward, one such innovation on our radar is virtual wheeling, a technology with the potential to revolutionise energy management and further
diminish our environmental impact. Upon its launch, we intend to leverage virtual wheeling to optimise energy utilisation, ensuring even greater efficiency and sustainability across our operations.

MTN Rwanda recognizes the critical role of sustainability initiatives in mitigating climate change and ensuring a cleaner future. To reduce its carbon footprint, the company is actively implementing clean energy solutions across its operations.

One element of this approach is the greening of the MTN Rwanda network. This initiative not only reduces reliance on traditional energy sources but also leads to significant cost savings. As part of this commitment, MTN Rwanda aims to complete two additional solar projects at its data centers in 2024, a move that will further strengthen its environmental responsibility.

MTN Rwanda’s dedication to sustainability extends beyond solar power adoption. The company is also exploring innovative energy storage solutions. These solutions hold the potential to optimize energy efficiency throughout the network, ensuring reliable connectivity while minimizing environmental impact.

This unwavering commitment to sustainable practices positions MTN Rwanda as a leader in responsible business operations within the telecommunications industry. By prioritizing clean energy, MTN Rwanda demonstrates that it is possible to align business growth with environmental stewardship, ultimately benefiting both the planet and future generations.

We are improving how we expand our reach. Our BTS sites operated diesel generators continuously (24/7) to maintain functionality in areas currently outside the reach of the national grid. The Cote d’Ivoire grid has significant hydroelectricity generation. We committed to delivering on our Project Zero commitments. Our ongoing energy efficiency project has been instrumental in reducing the reliance on diesel generators by a third. This achievement was accomplished through the implementation of a hybrid solution, strategically combining different energy sources. The positive impact of the energy efficiency project includes reducing diesel generator usage by 33%, resulting in a significant reduction of fuel consumption, which consequentially corresponds to a decrease in associated emissions. Looking forward, we intend to progressively connect more BTS sites using diesel generators to the grid and adopt solar solutions in the absence of grid coverage.

The current fragile macroeconomic situation has further heightened the ever-present practice within MTN to drive efficiency, bolster cost containment initiatives and improve working capital management while utilising ESG as an enabler. MTN Guinea-Republic has successfully demonstrated this in practice by reusing refurbished network infrastructure equipment that would have previously been idle, obsolete or disposed in another MTN market, thereby supporting sustainableresource management. This enabled us to execute our strategic projects at a fraction of the cost of new equipment and, more importantly, to maximise the resources available while fulfilling MTN’s commitment to protecting the planet. By reusing equipment, we avoid emissions that would have been emitted during the mining of the resources, manufacturing and distribution needed for new equipment.

This would not have been possible without our Circular Economy programme, Project Infinity, that enables buying refurbished equipment with the same assurances as new. The programme utilises digital solutions, which includes an online marketplace platform for visibility in matching the supply to the demand, a framework to ensure quality, tax and trade compliance, the provision of process support, technical and logistic capabilities, and a reporting structure.

The MTN Guinea-Republic technology team uses the Marketplace platform to check whether the required equipment is available elsewhere in our markets for reuse before placing an order for new. Through the online platform, the team can place their order, track it all the way to delivery to check how much emissions they avoided though reuse.

MTN Guinea-Republic have adopted the programme into the sourcing strategy to maximise the supply chain opportunities offered and are regular return customers to the Marketplace. By embedding sustainable practices into our operations through a programmatic approach, MTN Guinea-Republic has reused 237 pieces of network equipment so far, which in turn accounted for 155.6tCO2e emissions avoided.

Recognising the need to engage and collaborate to achieve the effective, rapid and comprehensive digital transformation of Africa, MTN Group is a key participant and founding partner of Mobile World Congress (MWC) Africa, which this year is taking place on the continent for the first time.

Called ‘Connectivity Unleashed’, MWC Africa starts in Kigali, Rwanda today and runs until Thursday 27 October. It brings together hundreds of delegates from across the globe, exploring themes such as ‘Leadership for Connectivity’, ‘One People, One Purpose’, ‘Accelerate Africa’ and ‘Fintech’.

“From using 5G to enable digital growth across industries to stepping into the metaverse, we are excited to be building partnerships to solve some of the continent’s many challenges. MWC is a great opportunity for MTN to collaborate with others who want to make the same impact,” says MTN Group President and CEO Ralph Mupita.

Among the topics on which MTN executives will be engaging are: ‘What does Metaverse mean for Africa?’; ‘Progressive policy to accelerate the digital agenda in Africa’; ‘Setting the mobile money agenda for the next generation’; ‘Beyond the smartphone – developing innovative 5G use-cases and applications for Africa’; and ‘Digital transformation to accelerate the African Continental Free Trade Agreement’.

Determined to play our part in building the digital skills that Africa needs for its digital transformation, MTN will launch the MTN Skills Academy on the sidelines of MWC Africa, aiming to develop people across the continent as producers, consumers and innovators of digital technologies. This is part of our work to build digital skills for digital jobs, through which we will upskill the continent’s most valuable asset – its people – to help close the jobs gap in a sustainable and measurable way. Investing in digital capabilities of citizens underpinned by both technological and human capacity offers the most robust approach for the future. This is aligned to MTN’s Ambition 2025 strategy: Leading digital solutions for Africa’s progress.

At MTN we recognise our incredible responsibility to ensure that no one is left behind in the profound evolution to a digital future. We know that access to affordable communication has the power to change lives and bridge inequalities and this is why we focus on increasing access – particularly in rural areas – and reducing the cost of our voice and data services.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the associated lockdowns clearly showed that internet affordability and accessibility are key enablers for communities, governments and businesses. Yet, several barriers to mobile internet adoption exist. We work to address these through our industry-renowned ‘CHASE’ framework, focusing on coverage, handsets, affordability, service bundling and education and ease of access.

Coverage is key, and in 2021, we rolled out 912 new rural towers (after rolling out 684 in 2020). This extended rural broadband coverage to a total of more than 23 million people across our markets, from 8.5 million in 2020. It brought MTN’s total rural broadband coverage to 83% and compares to our target of 95% by 2025.

To ensure that we meet this target, for 2022 we linked the incentives for executive remuneration to the progress we achieve on three ESG measures, including the expansion of rural broadband.

“Through our rural connectivity programme, 23 million people can now use their smartphones to access information and learning tools,” said Amith Maharaj, Executive for Network Design & Planning at MTN Group. “This programme is also accelerating the drive towards financial inclusion, where those previously considered as ‘unbanked’ are able to use the new infrastructure to make financial transactions.”

The impact has extended to entrepreneurs who can now run their businesses using the power of the internet.

Closing the coverage gap in rural areas would not be possible without the collaboration of our partners, who help us overcome challenges, most of which originate in our supply chain. In 2021, we increased the number of rollout partners as well as the kinds of partnership models in place.

We also use new technologies to find coverage solutions. OpenRAN (radio access network) enables us to cost-effectively develop and install 2G to 5G networks in previously unconnected areas.  

Through our circular economy practices, we also reuse 3G equipment – often in rural areas – when it is swapped out for 5G equipment in those places where we have 5G spectrum. By doing this, we reduce the cost of these technologies while avoiding the emissions associated with the equipment’s manufacture, part of our work to reach Net Zero by 2040.

Equipment swaps take place within countries, or even between our different operating companies. Therefore, we need to collaborate closely with our partners to ensure that we adhere to trade rules and regulations around the sales of network equipment such as radio antennas. We also work with our partners to create an environment where circular economy initiatives become the norm.

MTN’s belief is that everyone deserves the benefits of a modern connected life. Through increasing rural connectivity, we can help communities transform. Access to information can reduce poverty by educating and upskilling the youth, creating jobs and improving lives. This fits with our Ambition 2025 strategic intent: Leading digital solutions for Africa’s progress.

People who are connected are ultimately empowered. It follows that the digital inclusion of traditionally marginalised groups – those in rural areas, as well as the elderly, women and the youth – is a key to broader socioeconomic development.

Driven to deliver on our strategic intent – Ambition 2025: Leading digital solutions for Africa’s progress – MTN has a clear plan to ensure that everyone in our markets can enjoy the benefits of a modern connected life. We call this ‘CHASE’. Rolling out broadband coverage – the ‘c’ in CHASE – is the first step.

“Providing a quality broadband network is essential, but not enough: there are various other interventions required to make sure that no-one is left behind,” says MTN Group Consumer Executive Enzo Scarcella. “People also need 3G-enabled handsets; affordable data; relevant service offerings; as well as education to equip them with the skills to make the most of all that the mobile internet has to offer.”

When all these elements are in place, adoption increases sharply – a fact corroborated by the findings of a study in Zambia, where MTN’s partner AMN is helping us extend broadband connectivity to more people in rural areas. The research looked at the impact of various interventions in six ‘ultra-rural’ villages compared to a control group of another six villages, all with 3G networks.

It found that by implementing the interventions – which are aligned to each of the elements of MTN’s CHASE framework – more new users were brought on to the internet and their data usage increased significantly, to three times the amount recorded in the control villages.

“Studies such as these encourage us to keep pursuing our CHASE framework,” says Scarcella, adding that the Group was building on the good progress made in 2021, the details of which include:

Coverage: To ensure sufficient coverage in rural areas, in 2021 we increased the number of rollout partners and introduced new partnership models, rolling out 912 rural sites. This expanded coverage to more than 23 million people in rural areas, up from 8.5 million in 2020. By the end of 2021, MTN’s total broadband coverage was 83% of the population. Through MTN Global Connect, we continued to build the infrastructure to connect African countries to each other and the rest of the world. We rolled out more than 15 000km of terrestrial fibre, bringing our total footprint to  100 000km.

Handsets:  To increase the affordability of and customer access to data-enabled devices, in 2021 we placed 3.1 million 3G and 4G devices in the hands of our customers. We increased the number of vendors from whom we procure handsets and with whom we have agreements, ensuring that customers can access after-sales service. We also offered an MTN-approved device that is 20% cheaper than a comparable handset. By partnering with M-KOPA, we supported device financing to customers in Uganda and Ghana. In 2022, we are extending this to Nigeria and Zambia.

Affordability: To increase data service affordability, in 2021 we reduced our effective data tariff by 15.3%. To test affordability in line with United Nations and ECOWAS guidelines, we benchmarked MTN data pricing across operations. We found that 11 MTN markets have data prices that are within the UN’s recommended affordability range.

Service bundling: To create service offerings that are relevant, simple and meaningful to customers, in 2021 we provided different customer groups with different propositions, tailoring our offerings to include microbundles, social media bundles and XtraByte – a service that allows customers to borrow data when they run out. We also introduced YouTube streaming bundles for entry-level users.

Education and ease of access: To enhance digital literacy and the ease with which data can be accessed, in 2021 we trained 24 million people in the 12 markets in which we offer our ‘MTN Data-Smart’ digital literacy programme. This zero-rated programme improves people’s basic understanding of the mobile internet and applications.

“CHASE clearly defines the work that we need to do, and helps keep everyone at MTN focused,” says Scarcella, adding that extending digital and financial inclusion across the African continent also supports the group’s strategic priority to create shared value. “No one must get left behind, regardless of their location, age or socio-economic standing.”