Ethio Telecom explores green energy partnership with Italy’s Ascot Energy
Date: 2026-03-27
By: Kanto Kai Okanta
Ethio
Telecom has initiated discussions with Italy-based Ascot Energy to explore a
potential partnership aimed at integrating advanced green energy solutions into
its national telecommunications infrastructure.
The
high-level engagement was led by Ethio telecom CEO, Frehiwot Tamru and Ascot
Energy Chief Technology Officer, Gaetano Fasciana, focusing on aligning energy
innovation with the company’s long-term digital expansion strategy.
The
proposed collaboration supports Ethio telecom’s “Next Horizon: Digital &
Beyond 2028” strategy, which seeks to combine rapid technological growth with
sustainable and climate-resilient infrastructure development.
During
the discussions, Tamru highlighted the energy-intensive nature of
telecommunications, noting that the expansion of 4G, 5G, and data centre
infrastructure requires reliable and efficient power systems capable of
supporting operations across diverse and often remote regions of Ethiopia.
She
emphasized that improving energy efficiency and adopting green power solutions
are critical to enhancing operational performance, reducing costs, and ensuring
long-term sustainability, while maintaining affordable digital services for
customers.
Ethio
telecom has already been advancing its green agenda through the deployment of
solar-powered telecom sites and other environmentally sustainable
infrastructure initiatives nationwide.
Ascot
Energy presented a technical framework built around hybrid energy systems
designed to improve fuel efficiency, extend battery life, and enhance network
resilience. The proposed solutions incorporate Internet of Things-enabled
monitoring, remote management, and security capabilities to optimize
performance and reduce operational costs.
The
Italian firm also commended Ethio telecom’s infrastructure scale and its role
in driving Ethiopia’s digital economy, particularly through platforms such as
telebirr, which are expanding financial inclusion.
Both
parties agreed to establish a joint technical working group to further assess
the proposed solutions and explore implementation pathways, including potential
financing models to support the initiative.
The
collaboration is expected to contribute to Ethiopia’s broader efforts to build
a sustainable, resilient, and digitally enabled economy.
