Airtel cuts diesel use by 9.1m litres amid green transition

LUSAKA – Airtel Africa Plc, a leading telecommunications and mobile money services provider with a significant footprint across the continent, including Zambia, has reported a remarkable reduction in its diesel consumption. The company announced a decrease of 9.1 million litres during its 2025/2026 financial year, a key indicator of its accelerated efforts towards a sustainable green transition. The substantial cut in diesel use is attributed to Airtel Africa's strategic shift towards integrating lower-carbon energy sources and expanding its renewable energy infrastructure across its 14 operating markets. This initiative not only underscores the company's commitment to environmental stewardship but also yields significant operational savings, with an estimated N13 billion (approximately US$8.7 million) saved during the period. For a country like Zambia, where energy costs and reliability are critical for business operations, such transitions by major players like Airtel are highly impactful. Zambia, like many African nations, faces challenges in energy supply, often relying on a mix of hydro and thermal power, with diesel generators serving as crucial backups for telecommunication towers, especially in remote areas prone to grid instability. Airtel's move to reduce reliance on diesel directly contributes to a more stable and environmentally friendly network operation within Zambia, potentially leading to improved service reliability for its millions of subscribers and reducing the carbon footprint associated with mobile connectivity. The company's green transition strategy involves a multi-pronged approach, including the deployment of solar power solutions, upgrading to more energy-efficient network equipment, and exploring other renewable energy technologies. This aligns with global and regional pushes for sustainable development and climate action. By investing in cleaner energy, Airtel Africa is not only mitigating its environmental impact but also building a