African telecoms rely on diesel, but solar and storage solutions are gaining traction, especially in Mali, with new investments and partnerships emerging.
African telecoms rely on diesel power
African mobile networks heavily depend on diesel generators for electricity, according to Agence Ecofin. This reliance is particularly evident in countries where grid electricity is unreliable or unavailable.Mali explores solar and storage solutions
In Mali, several investments are underway to develop solar and battery storage solutions to reduce the country's reliance on diesel for telecommunications. These projects are opening up opportunities for companies that provide decentralized energy solutions.Chinese company signs deal for Mali project
Jinko ESS, a subsidiary of Chinese company Jinko Solar, announced on October 17 an agreement to deliver 34 SunGiga G2 Plus systems totaling 18 MWh for a telecommunications project in Mali. However, the company has not disclosed details about its partner, the contract value, or the specific sites involved.Financing supports renewable energy in Mali
Recent investments in Mali highlight growing interest in solar and storage solutions for telecommunications. In March 2025, Norfund and the Facility for Energy Inclusion signed a 40 million USD financing agreement with CREI, a company focused on renewable energy for African telecoms, to deploy solar and battery systems.International loans boost Mali's telecoms
In November 2025, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the West African Development Bank (BOAD) announced 80 million euros in loans to modernize and expand the Orange Mali network. The project includes replacing diesel generators with solar equipment, aiming to reduce CO2 emissions by over 8,000 tons annually.Diesel dependence is widespread across Africa
According to a July 2025 analysis by CrossBoundary Energy, about 70 percent of the 500,000 telecommunications towers in Africa rely on diesel. This dependence significantly increases operating costs, with fuel expenses accounting for 30 to 60 percent of expenses at isolated sites.Other developments in African infrastructure
Separately, Vista Bank Group announced on October 18 the launch of its French subsidiary in Bangkok, during the annual meetings of the IMF and World Bank. Meanwhile, Transnet in South Africa is working with American company Wabtec to improve rail freight, as declining rail usage raises logistics costs. Ghana is also pushing to increase rail freight on the Tema-Mpakadan line.Art initiative highlights West African artists
Ellipse Art Projects 2026: West Africa told by its new generation of artists is an initiative created in 2021 to support emerging contemporary artists. The Elipse Prize annually recognizes talents that need greater visibility in the art world.
