Mali, Norfund, CREI Push Solar Telecom

Key Figures & Findings: Norfund, the Norwegian development finance institution known for its strategic investments in fragile states to promote sustainability and economic resilience,  is investing $16 million (166 million NOK) into CREI to solarize mobile towers across Mali. CREI, which already operates solar-powered telecom sites in South Sudan and the Central African Republic, will lead the initiative, which is the largest project to date. The deployment will combine solar panels and battery storage to ensure continuous mobile coverage. Birgit Edlefsen, SVP at Norfund, emphasized that this effort directly fosters economic growth and job creation. At the same time, Kadri El Hakim, CEO of CREI, highlighted the impact of infrastructure on extending stable telecom access. The FEI fund, managed by Cygnum Capital, also backed the initiative, with CEO Thibault Neveu noting its significance in pushing renewable energy into Africa’s telecom sector.

Insights: The project will equip 2,876 towers with solar+battery systems, aiming to cut dependency on diesel while expanding coverage in both rural and urban Mali. Mali’s chronic energy insecurity has severely affected digital connectivity, with this investment seen as crucial for socio-economic inclusion.

Future Implications: If successfully executed, the solar-powered network could significantly enhance Mali’s telecom resilience and digital economy by early 2027. CREI’s expansion model could also be replicated in other conflict-affected or underserved regions across Africa.

Source: SolarFinanced Africa