Written By: Faith Jemosop
In a world where both internet connectivity and clean energy are essential for sustainable development, Sierra Leone has taken a bold step: it has launched Africa’s first 5G network powered entirely by renewable energy. But how significant is this move, really? And what could it mean for a country where broadband penetration is still under 21%?
Let’s unpack the facts and ask the hard questions.
What Exactly Has Sierra Leone Launched?
Sierra Leone has unveiled a renewable-powered 5G network, starting in its capital city, Freetown. Unlike most cellular networks, which are heavily reliant on diesel-powered generators, this project integrates solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, battery storage, and backup generators into a smart hybrid power system.
This means that even during blackouts or bad weather, the 5G towers will remain operational, drastically cutting reliance on fossil fuels and minimizing downtime.
It’s a dual revolution, digital and energy rolled into one.
Who Are the Key Players Making This Possible?
The project is led by Zoodlabs, a Sierra Leonean tech firm focused on accelerating the country’s digital infrastructure. The company is rolling out 5G towers equipped with renewable energy modules.
But Zoodlabs is not working alone.
CrossBoundary Energy, a leading renewable energy investment firm, is providing financing and infrastructure support for the solar systems powering at least five towers. Their systems promise 99.9% uptime, a critical factor in a country where power outages are frequent and prolonged.
Why Was This Necessary?
Despite massive mobile phone penetration in Sierra Leone, only 20.7% of the population has access to broadband internet, according to official statistics. Many residents rely on slow and unreliable 3G or 4G services. On top of that, network providers have traditionally depended on diesel generators to keep cell towers running, an option that is not only costly but also environmentally destructive.
With climate change impacts growing more intense across Africa, Sierra Leone needed a sustainable and reliable digital solution.
How Will Renewable-Powered 5G Change the Game?
The arrival of 5G offers enormous benefits:
- High-speed connectivity for streaming, telemedicine, and education.
- Low latency for innovations such as smart agriculture and remote diagnostics.
- Scalability for the Internet of Things (IoT), smart cities, and even autonomous vehicles.
Pair that with solar energy, and you get:
- Lower operational costs for telecoms.
- Reduced dependence on imported diesel.
- A scalable model for green digital infrastructure.
In short, this isn’t just a technical upgrade, it’s a strategic leap for Sierra Leone.
How Does the Renewable System Work?
Each 5G tower is powered by a solar hybrid energy system that includes:
- Photovoltaic solar panels that generate electricity from sunlight.
- Battery storage systems that keep energy for use during cloudy days or at night.
- Backup diesel generators, used only when both solar and battery systems are insufficient.
While not yet 100% fossil-free, this hybrid system dramatically reduces diesel dependency, lowers emissions, and ensures continuous network uptime.
What Does This Mean for Sierra Leone’s Digital Future?
The implications are massive:
- Better education access through stable internet in schools.
- Telehealth expansion rural clinics can consult specialists online.
- Business digitization more Sierra Leoneans can access e-commerce, mobile banking, and remote jobs.
It also opens the door for tech innovation, local startups can now build on a high-speed, low-cost digital backbone powered by sustainable energy.
Also read: Why Battery Storage Is South Africa’s Boldest Energy Bet Yet
This is especially important in a country where the majority of the population is under 25 and hungry for opportunity.
What Are the Challenges Ahead?
Despite the optimism, several critical questions remain:
| Challenge | Why it matters |
| Is solar enough to power dense networks nationwide? | 5G demands a high density of towers; scaling solar for rural areas could be costly and technically complex. |
| How will rural regions benefit? | Freetown is just the beginning. Expanding to remote villages will need both funding and political will. |
| Is the hybrid system truly sustainable? | As long as diesel generators are still used, full carbon neutrality isn’t achieved. Future plans must aim to remove these completely. |
| Will internet prices drop for consumers? | Infrastructure is just one part, affordable access must follow to close the digital divide. |
These are not minor issues. The success of this model depends on how well these challenges are addressed in the next phases of implementation.
What Makes This Model Replicable for Other African Nations?
Most African countries face similar problems:
- Limited broadband access.
- Over-reliance on diesel generators.
- High costs for telecom infrastructure.
Sierra Leone is proving that green energy and digital infrastructure can be deployed together, even in low-income, post-conflict nations.
If successful, this renewable-powered 5G network could become a blueprint for the continent, especially for countries in West and Central Africa that are grappling with energy access and low connectivity.
The project demonstrates that:
- International energy investors like CrossBoundary are willing to fund solar telecom projects.
- Local firms like Zoodlabs can design and operate advanced tech infrastructures.
- Government and business collaboration is key to overcoming systemic gaps.
Is This a Turning Point for Green Tech in Africa?
It very well could be. As Africa urbanizes and digitizes, the continent faces a fork in the road:
- Continue down the fossil-fuel-powered path of infrastructure development.
- Or innovate with green, decentralized systems that are better suited to Africa’s geography and energy realities.
Also read: Meet the 5 Power Players Rewiring South Africa’s Grid
Sierra Leone’s renewable-powered 5G shows that the latter path is not just possible, it’s preferable.
Innovation Meets Urgency
Sierra Leone’s renewable-powered 5G network is not just a national achievement, it’s a regional milestone. It marks the convergence of clean energy and next-generation connectivity, two of the most urgent needs for sustainable development in Africa.
While the project is still in its infancy, it raises the bar for what’s possible when technology, sustainability, and inclusive growth align. For a continent with 600 million people still lacking reliable electricity and even more without high-speed internet, this small West African country is sending a big message:
The future of Africa is not just digital, it’s renewable.
