MTN Group releases annual Sustainability Report

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“Like all businesses, we face challenges from time to time. However, we are not deterred in our sustainability journey. As a major ICT role-player in emerging markets, we are acutely aware that our resources can make a meaningful difference to the lives of our customers and communities,” states MTN executive chairman, Phuthuma Nhleko, in the report.

As part of its efforts to create sustainable economic value through digital inclusion, MTN has rolled out a number of key initiatives in the past year.

Solar-powered service

In Benin, for example, where more than 70% of the population live off-grid and do not have access to electricity, MTN partnered with the Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV), the government, local solar power companies and a local micro-finance institution to ensure its rural network could be used to distribute solar power products. As a result, approximately 10,000 solar lamps were sold between March 2015 and August 2015; between 30 and 50 mobile phones are charged on average per day per solar-powered service and 100 MTN airtime agents now offer solar power charging services to increase their offering and revenues.

Smart meter monitoring

MTN also rolled out its internet of things (IoT) platform in 2015, which is allowing digital solutions to contribute to the efficient use of resources in the energy, water and agricultural sectors through solutions such as smart metering. Smart meters monitor the consumption of resources such as water or electricity, via remote application infrastructure, and provides insight into how, when and where such resources are used. Other digital inclusion initiatives span across driving the use of smartphones by offering affordable handsets, as well as m-health, m-education and m-insurance services, among others.

Highlights for 2015 include:

• 329 green sites across the MTN network
  
• 7,947tCO2e greenhouse gas emissions avoided
  
• Between 2011 and 2014, energy efficiency solutions have been implemented at 9,989 network sites, as well as at data centres, switches, hubs and office buildings. In 2015, an additional 450 sites were improved.
  
• 534,5 tonnes of e-waste was handed over for extracting valuable elements and components and safe disposal in 2015.

A copy of the MTN Group Sustainability Report for 2015, as well as the group’s 2015 CDP, UN GRI 4 and UN Global Compact Reports, are available at www.mtn.com.