The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is stepping up efforts to expand clean, reliable power for telecom networks in Africa with a $45 million investment in IPT PowerTech. The initiative targets Ethiopia, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, where inconsistent electricity supply continues to hinder digital connectivity, economic participation, and access to essential services.
Through this partnership, IPT PowerTech will modernize, operate, and maintain 2,235 telecom sites across the three countries, over 90% of which are in off-grid or weak-grid locations. New solar and battery systems will power these sites, reducing reliance on diesel generators, improving service reliability, and minimizing network outages.
Operators are projected to cut power costs by up to 52% in Ethiopia, 30% in Liberia, and 26% in Sierra Leone, while reducing annual carbon emissions by more than 10,624 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent.
The upgrade is expected to have wide-ranging impacts beyond telecom networks. Households, schools, health centres, and small businesses will benefit from more consistent digital services, enabling broader access to e-learning, telemedicine, mobile banking, and other online platforms.
Stable connectivity will also allow operators to provide more affordable services, strengthening economic participation and social inclusion in underserved communities.
The initiative emphasizes gender inclusion, expanding opportunities for women in technical, operational, and leadership roles within the energy and telecom sectors. IFC’s support extends beyond financing: the institution will also assist IPT PowerTech in strengthening environmental and social practices, aligning operations with global standards, and enhancing sustainability across its projects.
The $45 million package includes an A Loan of $27 million and $18 million in blended finance from the Canada IFC Blended Climate Finance Programme and the IDA20 Private Sector Window (PSW) Blended Finance Facility.
These blended instruments are designed to mobilize private capital for climate action in emerging and fragile markets, demonstrating how development finance can catalyze large-scale private sector investment.
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This project aligns with the World Bank Group and African Development Bank’s Mission 300 initiative, which aims to deliver reliable electricity to 300 million Africans by 2030. It also supports the Digital Economy for Africa strategy and country-specific priorities outlined in the Country Partnership Frameworks for Ethiopia, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, highlighting the link between renewable energy, digital inclusion, and economic growth.
By integrating clean energy solutions with telecom infrastructure, IFC and IPT PowerTech are creating a model for sustainable digital connectivity in emerging markets, bridging energy gaps, reducing emissions, and enabling millions of Africans to participate in the continent’s fast-growing digital economy.
By Thuita Gatero, Managing Editor, Africa Digest News. He specializes in conversations around data centers, AI, cloud infrastructure, and energy.
