Vodacom Calls for Collective Action to Decarbonize Africa’s Digital Economy

As climate pressures intensify and energy demand grows, Africa must cut carbon emissions while expanding access to reliable, affordable power that supports development, jobs and digital inclusion.

Yet many sectors—from telecommunications and healthcare to mining, logistics and manufacturing—still depend on carbon-intensive, costly diesel generators due to weak grid infrastructure and unreliable electricity supply.

Vodacom Group has released a new white paper, titled Decarbonizing Africa’s ICT Sector.

The report contributes insights into one of Africa’s fastest‑growing sectors, where expanding digital and network infrastructure brings growing energy demands and is navigating the complexities of decarbonization while continuing to support economic and social development.

The research highlights that while Africa remains highly vulnerable to climate change, it faces critical energy challenges that hamper decarbonization efforts. Weak grid infrastructure, financial constraints within utilities, complex regulatory environments, and unreliable electricity supply continue to slow the adoption of renewable energy across the continent. This has led many sectors, including telecommunications, to rely heavily on carbon-intensive diesel generators to power operations.

“Decarbonization in Africa cannot be approached in isolation or through a single‑sector lens,” says Ayman Essam, Chief Officer: External Affairs at Vodacom Group. “While we have set an ambition to work towards net‑zero emissions, progress depends on systemic change across the energy ecosystem. This includes policies that enable private sector participation, new financing models, and partnerships that can scale renewable energy solutions beyond individual organizations.”

To address these barriers, the white paper outlines several practical solutions that could help accelerate decarbonization across the ICT sector. These include energy sector reforms that enable greater private sector participation; renewable energy procurement mechanisms such as power purchase agreements (PPAs); and the expansion of decentralized energy solutions, including mini-grids, to power remote mobile network base stations.

While mobile network operators are major energy consumers, the report emphasises that they are also critical enablers of Africa’s digital and economic development – making their role in the low-carbon transition both complex and essential.

Developed with technical support from the Carbon Trust, the research draws on sector analysis, case studies and interviews with stakeholders across the ICT and energy value chains, including utilities, technology providers, financial institutions and regulators.

“By sharing insights and identifying pathways forward, the report aims to support more coordinated action across the industry and take up the significant opportunity for Africa to build a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable digital economy,” concludes Essam.