Airtel Nigeria has revealed that it spends N28 billion monthly on diesel to power its over 15,000 sites across the country. The telecom giant is set to embark on a sustainability drive aimed at reducing its reliance on diesel and lowering its carbon footprint.

Femi Adeniran, Airtel Nigeria’s Director of Corporate Communications and CSR, shared this during a media roundtable in Lagos. He noted that the company currently consumes 22 million litres of diesel each month, which contributes significantly to environmental degradation. However, collocation, a practice that allows telecom operators to share infrastructure, has helped reduce potential higher costs.

“We are committed to minimizing our environmental impact. Transitioning to grid power and solar energy will significantly cut down diesel consumption and mitigate climate change,” Adeniran said, adding that the company’s sustainability efforts will also contribute to Nigeria’s climate goals.

Harmanpreet Dhillon, Chief Technical Officer at Airtel Nigeria, highlighted the company’s shift towards using lithium-ion batteries over traditional ones. This move will help reduce Airtel's carbon footprint, as lithium-ion batteries are more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.

Additionally, Dhillon explained that Airtel is adopting outdoor-operable telecom equipment that can withstand extreme conditions like heat, humidity, and dust without the need for indoor air-conditioned spaces. This will further lower power consumption, reducing reliance on diesel generators while boosting the adoption of solar power and lithium-ion battery technologies.

Kemi Ariyo, Airtel Nigeria’s Director of Information Technology, also shared that the company is set to introduce green technologies, starting with its data center, which is expected to be operational by 2027. This center will enhance the company’s operational capacity while supporting its sustainability objectives.

Airtel’s push towards greener energy solutions reflects the broader industry trend of adopting eco-friendly technologies to both cut costs and mitigate environmental impacts.