MTN’s Ambition 2030 Faces a Bigger Challenge Than Fibre
MTN’s Ambition 2030 Faces a Bigger Challenge. MTN wants to triple its network footprint, but diesel dependence could determine whether its vision succeeds
MTN Group’s newly unveiled Ambition 2030 strategy sets out one of the boldest telecommunications expansion plans in Africa in recent years. The company plans to triple its fibre footprint to approximately 420,000 kilometres, connect up to 20 million homes, expand its mobile money business significantly, and bring millions of new users online across its markets.
The strategy reflects MTN’s growing confidence in Africa’s digital future. However, behind the infrastructure targets lies another challenge that may prove equally important: energy.
Building networks requires more than cables
Expanding fibre infrastructure across multiple African countries is not simply a question of laying cables or building new towers.
Telecommunications infrastructure relies heavily on continuous electricity to power base stations, switching centres, data centres, customer service locations, and subsea cable systems.
In many African markets where electricity supply remains unreliable, diesel generators have historically filled the gap.
That dependence has become increasingly expensive.
MTN Nigeria takes a major renewable step
MTN Nigeria recently announced a partnership with First WATT Renewable Limited to deploy 34 megawatts-peak (MWp) of solar power generation and 40 megawatt-hours (MWh) of battery storage across critical facilities.
The deployment will support:
- Data centres
- Switching centres
- Cable landing stations
- Customer service facilities
- Electric vehicle charging infrastructure
The project represents one of MTN Nigeria’s largest energy transition initiatives to date.
Why energy has become a business issue
Energy costs are becoming increasingly important to telecom operators because growing data consumption also means growing power consumption.
MTN Nigeria’s sustainability report shows that diesel remained the company’s largest energy source in 2025, accounting for more than half of total consumption.
Energy mix in 2025 included:
- Diesel: 58.11%
- Gas-powered electricity: 23.63%
- National grid electricity: 18.04%
- Renewable energy: 0.05%
While renewable energy contributed only a small fraction, the cost implications of diesel dependence are significant.
With diesel prices hovering around ₦2,000 per litre, MTN estimates that rising energy costs could reduce margins by roughly 2%.
For a company operating at MTN’s scale, even relatively small percentage shifts can translate into substantial financial pressure.
Data centres are becoming the biggest energy consumers
As more users come online and digital services expand, the demand for computing infrastructure continues to rise.
MTN says data centres consumed the largest share of electricity use across its Nigerian operations.
Electricity usage by infrastructure type:
- Data centres: 38.2%
- Base stations: 31.6%
- Network switches: 21.2%
- Office buildings: 8.7%
- Vehicles: 0.3%
This trend highlights a broader challenge across Africa’s technology sector.
Artificial intelligence services, cloud computing, streaming platforms, fintech applications, and mobile services all depend on energy-intensive infrastructure.
Fibre growth and energy transition are becoming linked
MTN’s ambition to increase its fibre footprint to roughly 420,000 kilometres by 2030 may ultimately depend as much on energy strategy as on network investment.
A network spanning multiple countries cannot rely indefinitely on diesel-powered infrastructure if operational costs continue to rise.
The company has already begun shifting toward a broader energy mix that includes gas, solar systems, batteries, and energy-efficient technologies.
The transition, however, is unlikely to happen quickly.
Grid instability, fuel price fluctuations, and infrastructure limitations remain major challenges across many African markets.
The bigger picture
Africa’s digital future is often discussed in terms of internet access, smartphone adoption, and infrastructure investment.
But as telecom companies expand, another reality is becoming increasingly clear: digital transformation requires energy infrastructure alongside digital infrastructure.
MTN’s Ambition 2030 may therefore represent more than a telecommunications strategy.
It may also become a test of whether Africa can power its next stage of digital growth sustainably.
Written by Anibel
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