MTN Nigeria, First WATT Partner on Renewable Energy Rollout

Tobechukwu Okigbo, Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer at MTN Nigeria, said renewable energy would play an increasingly important role as Nigeria’s energy and mobility sectors continue to evolve.

First WATT Renewable Limited and MTN Nigeria have entered into a strategic partnership to expand the use of renewable energy across key telecommunications facilities while supporting the growth of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in Nigeria. The collaboration brings together clean energy generation, battery storage technology, and EV charging solutions in a move designed to reduce diesel consumption, strengthen operational reliability, and support the country's broader sustainability goals.

The programme consists of two major projects. The first focuses on an Energy-as-a-Service model that will deliver approximately 34 megawatts peak (MWp) of solar photovoltaic capacity alongside 40 megawatt-hours (MWh) of battery energy storage systems. The infrastructure will be deployed across selected MTN facilities nationwide, including data centres, switch sites, cable landing stations, customer service centres, and other critical network locations where uninterrupted power remains essential.

The second project will provide renewable energy systems to support 60-kilowatt electric vehicle charging stations at eight MTN facilities located in Ikoyi, Matori, Ojota, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Asaba, Kano, and Ibadan. The initiative is expected to contribute to the development of cleaner transportation infrastructure by ensuring that EV charging stations are powered by more sustainable energy sources.

Together, the two projects are expected to reduce reliance on diesel-powered systems while improving operational uptime and business continuity across MTN's facilities. The programme also seeks to increase the share of renewable energy used in powering both telecommunications infrastructure and selected EV charging locations.

As demand for digital services continues to rise across Nigeria, dependable energy supply has become increasingly important for maintaining network performance and supporting economic activity. The partnership is expected to strengthen the resilience of MTN Nigeria's operations while advancing the company's renewable energy ambitions. Based on current projections, the programme could help avoid approximately 25,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions over a five-year period, subject to operational performance and final emissions assessments.

Oluwole Eweje, Chief Executive Officer of WATT Renewable Corporation, described the agreement as a significant milestone for the company and a major contribution to strengthening the energy systems that support Nigeria's digital economy. He said the deployment of solar generation and battery storage solutions across selected MTN facilities would improve energy reliability at locations where continuous operations are critical. He also highlighted the EV charging component as an example of how renewable energy infrastructure can support Nigeria's transition toward lower-carbon transportation by providing cleaner and more dependable power for charging networks.

Tobechukwu Okigbo, Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer at MTN Nigeria, said renewable energy would play an increasingly important role as Nigeria's energy and mobility sectors continue to evolve. According to him, the partnership supports MTN Nigeria's efforts to reduce diesel dependence, improve operational efficiency, and enhance the resilience of the infrastructure that powers connectivity. He added that the initiative aligns with the company's Project Zero strategy under its "Doing for Planet" sustainability pillar, which focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving energy efficiency, and increasing the use of renewable energy across its operations.