Orange Expands Renewable Power Footprint in Africa

Driven by escalating energy costs and a strategic commitment to sustainability, France’s largest telecommunications company, Orange, plans to double its solar-powered base stations across the African continent. This initiative addresses both operational challenges—high fuel expenses from diesel generators—and expands network access to underserved rural communities.

The move is particularly timely given recent global energy market volatility. With the ongoing conflict in Iran impacting oil prices, renewable power has become increasingly competitive for telecom infrastructure.

Orange currently operates clean energy systems at 15,000 locations across 11 countries in Africa and the Middle East—representing 30% of its total sites. The expansion will bring this number to approximately 30,000, significantly reducing reliance on expensive diesel generators and unstable grid power.

Addressing Critical Needs with Solar Power

The benefits extend beyond cost savings: solar-powered base stations improve network reliability in regions prone to outages, while enabling expansion into areas previously inaccessible due to lack of infrastructure. In countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan, where reliable electricity is scarce, solar represents the only viable solution for telecom connectivity.

This trend aligns with broader adoption across the sector: Vodacom, Safaricom, and Airtel Africa are also investing heavily in renewable energy solutions—some sites now operating entirely on clean power.

Part of a Continent-Wide Renewable Energy Surge

Orange’s announcement comes amid rapid growth in Africa’s solar market. In Q1 2026 alone, approximately 970 MW of new large-scale solar capacity was installed—surpassing the entire year’s total and marking a record high. Total installed solar capacity now exceeds 26.15 GW across all sectors.

This adoption reflects both immediate energy security concerns and long-term cost advantages, as governments and businesses seek to reduce reliance on fossil fuels in response to price volatility and climate commitments.