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MTN is collaborating with Huawei to roll out RuralSolar to provide Internet access to remote and rural African communities.

RuralSolar is an affordable solution to make network connectivity available in regions where rolling out networks were previously unviable.

MTN and Huawei completed the first RuralStar proof-of-concept in Ghana in 2017. The two companies signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the eve of the 2023 Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona.

The MoU includes a commitment from the two companies to extend their collaboration on the initiative.

The MTN Group’s chief sustainability and corporate affairs officer, Nompilo Morafo, said collaborative efforts are critical to bridging the digital divide.

“Working with companies like Huawei, we can pool our technologies and expertise to drive greater access to connectivity, digital skills and greener and more sustainable solutions to the benefit of all,” Morafo said.

The signing of the MoU forms part of MTN’s Ambition 2025 project, which aims to achieve 95% rural coverage in Africa by 2025. The company also plans to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2040.

Huawei will support MTN’s commitment to minimise the impact on the planet and achieve the goal by 2040.

The companies will work on reducing the carbon footprint of MTN’s telecommunications infrastructure, spanning radio access network sites, transport networks, storage, and data centres.

This will be done using a mix of energy-efficient technologies and implementing green solutions.