Vodacom has reached a major sustainability milestone: it now sources 100% of the electricity it purchases from renewable sources. This achievement makes Vodacom the first telecom provider in Africa to operate all of its markets entirely on renewable electricity—a landmark moment for the continent’s telecom and sustainability landscape.
Vodacom Group is also the first multinational telecom company in Africa to reach this target. The accomplishment underscores the company’s long-standing commitment to environmental responsibility and decarbonization. All electricity purchased by the company now comes from renewable sources, including certified Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), as well as wind and solar power.
To achieve this, Vodacom entered into several power purchase agreements (PPAs) and deployed on-site renewable energy installations. In the last fiscal year, the Group consumed 2,076 GWh of electricity, of which 906 GWh of grid power was covered through RECs. This included operations in countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, Tanzania, Egypt, South Africa, and Lesotho.
Dejan Kastelic, Vodacom Group Chief Technology Officer, highlighted the significance of the milestone:
“We are extremely proud of this achievement as we continue to reduce our environmental impact and improve the sustainability of our operations across Africa. Our 100% renewable electricity procurement marks a significant milestone in our ongoing strategy to reach net-zero GHG emissions in our direct operations by 2035. It reflects our determination to protect the planet while empowering communities with cleaner, greener connectivity.”
Globally, the ICT sector accounts for an estimated 1.5% to 4% of total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions—comparable to the aviation or maritime sectors. As internet usage and artificial intelligence technologies drive exponential data traffic, the sector’s emissions are projected to rise without a shift to renewable energy.
Vodacom is responding to this challenge through innovative partnerships and initiatives. In South Africa, the company is collaborating with Eskom to roll out a virtual wheeling mechanism. With support from its subsidiary, Mezzanine, Vodacom is developing a tech platform to enable virtual wheeling, which allows electricity supply to be sourced from independent renewable producers. Vodacom South Africa is set to become the first to procure renewable electricity through this mechanism in Q4 2025.
In addition to large-scale initiatives, Vodacom is engaging with local governments to enhance clean energy infrastructure. For instance, 76% of Vodafone Egypt’s electricity now comes from a government-backed renewable energy deal.
However, in remote regions lacking reliable grid access, Vodacom still relies on diesel generators—posing a short-term challenge to its decarbonization goals. To address this, the company is exploring alternative solutions, including hydrogen fuel cells, micro-turbines, and solar installations. One such innovation is the “solar flower” in Egypt—a compact system of 12 solar panels producing 6 kWp, significantly reducing fuel consumption.
Vodacom’s achievement in transitioning to 100% renewable electricity is a landmark for the African telecom sector. Through strategic investment, innovative partnerships, and a steadfast commitment to sustainability, Vodacom has signaled a clear message: the future of communications in Africa is green.
