Renewable energy powers the first 5G rollout in Sierra Leone

CrossBoundary Energy, an African energy services company, is powering the project’s first phase with solar PV, battery, and generator solutions that will provide 99.9% uptime whilst decreasing fossil fuel dependence and emissions. It is also providing financing for 5 of the towers to enable faster rollout.

Oliver Benham, Director of Operations for Telecom Solutions at CrossBoundary Energy, said, “Our solution is designed to maximize uptime whilst increasing renewable energy penetration and minimizing diesel generator usage. The effect is that telecom operators like Zoodlabs have a reliable, affordable, and cleaner way of powering their network that does not rely on utility energy supply or fossil fuels.”

The rollout of 5G will enable faster data speeds, lower latency, and greater device connectivity in Sierra Leone, a country where broadband penetration is just 20.7%.   The new network, leapfrogging the need for cable infrastructure, will lead to increased digital inclusion and access to quality connectivity for businesses and individuals across the capital.

David Kapkima, CEO at Zoodlabs, said, “5G is not just about faster phones—it’s a foundational technology for smart cities, autonomous vehicles, remote healthcare, and businesses that rely on IoT. CrossBoundary Energy’s specialized knowledge in solar energy solutions has enabled Zoodlabs to power this infrastructure sustainably.”

Zoodlabs’ first towers are situated in Freetown, with the intention of expanding the 5G data access throughout Sierra Leone.