Sierra Leone is Launching Its First 5G Network Powered by Renewable Energy

Sierra Leone is launching its first 5G network, and it’s making headlines for a good reason: this new 5G network will be powered by renewable energy. This bold move marks a major step forward for both technology and sustainability in the country, showing how Sierra Leone is ready to embrace the future while caring for the environment.

The project is a partnership between Zoodlabs, a local technology company, and CrossBoundary Energy, an African energy services provider. The announcement was made at the Digital Government Summit in Freetown, where leaders explained how the Sierra Leone 5G network will use a mix of solar panels, battery storage, and generators to power its towers. This setup means the towers can run reliably without depending heavily on fossil fuels, making the network cleaner and greener.

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CrossBoundary Energy is also helping to speed up the project by financing the first five towers. The first 5G towers are being installed in Freetown, Sierra Leone’s capital, with plans to expand the Sierra Leone 5G network to other parts of the country over time.

The arrival of 5G technology in Sierra Leone is expected to bring many benefits. With 5G, people and businesses can enjoy much faster internet speeds, less delay when using online services, and the ability to connect more devices at once. This will help make things like smart cities, remote healthcare, and new technology for homes and businesses possible. Right now, only about 20.7% of people in Sierra Leone have access to broadband internet, so the launch of the Sierra Leone 5G network could help many more people get connected and open new opportunities for work, education, and communication.

David Kapkima, CEO of Zoodlabs, pointed out that the Sierra Leone 5G network is about much more than just faster phones. He said that 5G will support many important sectors and that working with CrossBoundary Energy’s solar power expertise makes it possible to build a network that is both advanced and environmentally friendly.

This project is not just about better technology. By powering the 5G towers with renewable energy, Sierra Leone is showing that it’s possible to build modern infrastructure in a way that’s good for the planet. This could inspire other countries in Africa to follow the same path, especially as the continent’s 5G adoption is still in its early days. As of early 2024, only about 1.4% of Africa had 5G, but this is expected to grow rapidly in the next few years.

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South Africa is currently leading the way in Africa with the most 5G coverage, but Sierra Leone’s decision to launch its first 5G network using renewable energy puts it on the map as a pioneer in sustainable digital development.

By combining renewable energy with advanced technology, Sierra Leone is launching its first 5G network in a way that supports both digital growth and environmental responsibility. This move could set an example for other nations and help bring Sierra Leone closer to a more connected and sustainable future.

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