CrossBoundary Energy And iSAT Africa Partner To Provide Renewable Energy For Rural Telecom Sites In DRC And South Sudan

September 16, 2024

Representational image. Credit: Canva

CrossBoundary Energy (CBE) has announced a significant partnership with iSAT Africa to deliver renewable energy solutions for telecom sites across the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and South Sudan. iSAT Africa, a leading communications provider specializing in connectivity, mobile, and satellite solutions for rural and underserved markets, will benefit from this collaboration. The renewable energy systems will be provided by Clear Blue Technologies, a company known for its smart off-grid energy solutions.

Rik Wuts, Head of Telecom Solutions at CrossBoundary Energy, emphasized the importance of digital infrastructure for economic growth and social progress. “Powering telecom infrastructure with renewable energy enhances connectivity in underserved markets. This agreement reflects our commitment to delivering reliable, cost-effective energy solutions to some of the most remote locations in need of connectivity,” Wuts said.

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Rakesh Kukreja, CEO of iSAT Africa, highlighted the impact of the partnership on network expansion. “Our goal is to extend network coverage to greenfield locations through secure, reliable energy solutions. Partnering with CrossBoundary Energy allows us to roll out infrastructure in areas that will greatly benefit from improved connectivity,” Kukreja stated.

Miriam Tuerk, co-founder and CEO of Clear Blue Technologies, expressed alignment with the project’s mission. “We aim to provide stable, scalable renewable energy solutions where connectivity is lacking. Collaborating with iSAT and CrossBoundary Energy will help bring smart energy technology to these communities,” Tuerk noted.

Despite recent advancements in communications infrastructure across Africa, only 36% of the continent’s population has access to broadband internet. South Sudan faces particularly low connectivity, with only 12% of its population reliably connected, while the DRC has around 27% access. The lack of reliable electricity further hinders connectivity efforts. Renewable energy offers a decentralized, long-lasting solution that reduces dependence on diesel generators and supports the growth of digital infrastructure in these regions.