MTN South Sudan has accelerated the rollout of solar hybrid energy systems across its national network, a move the telecom operator says will strengthen service reliability while expanding digital access to underserved communities.
In a press release issued Friday, the company revealed that nearly 500 network sites have already been upgraded with solar hybrid technology.
The initiative forms part of MTN’s broader infrastructure modernization strategy aimed at enhancing network resilience and reducing dependence on diesel-powered systems.
The rollout is being implemented in partnership with Communication & Renewable Energy Infrastructure (CREI) and financed with support from Finnfund.
MTN South Sudan Chief Executive Officer Mapula Bodibe said the investment is designed to ensure reliable connectivity reaches communities that remain off the national electricity grid.
“This initiative ensures that connectivity reaches every community, including those without access to grid power,” Bodibe said.
According to the company, the upgraded power systems have significantly improved network uptime and service reliability for more than four million customers, representing approximately 80 percent of South Sudan’s population.
MTN South Sudan Chief Technology Officer Brian Karuhanga noted that the transition to solar hybrid systems has also reduced carbon emissions, supporting the wider sustainability commitments of MTN Group, which aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040.
Industry analysts say the shift reflects a growing trend among telecom operators in energy-constrained markets to adopt renewable energy solutions that lower operating costs while improving network performance and service continuity.
MTN maintains that reliable and sustainable energy infrastructure is essential to supporting key sectors such as education, healthcare, commerce, and mobile financial services areas that increasingly depend on stable digital connectivity.
The company says it will continue expanding its green energy footprint as part of efforts to deliver inclusive, resilient, and environmentally responsible telecommunications services across South Sudan.
