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Pan African Towers, Watt Renewable Corporation Ink $20m Infrastructural Deal

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Pan African Towers (PAT) Limited, a Nigerian firm has signed a $20 million infrastructure investment deal with Canadian firm, Watt Renewable Corporation.

 

The Partnership will see Watt Renewable provide alternative energy solutions like solar and other renewable to all towers owned and managed by PAT in Nigeria, to help the latter reduce exposure by as much as 50 percent.

 

Wole Abu, chief executive officer of PAT, who spoke at the signing ceremony in Lagos, said that the deal is significant, because “it’s a milestone in our journey of innovation, service delivery, and pushing Nigeria to the broadband target. This is at the forefront of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC’s) agenda for setting up Infrastructure Company”.

 

Abu said the deal will impact greatly and positively on the quality of service both voice, and data in the country, and cited the erratic power supply situation as one of the major challenges confronting telecoms operators in Nigeria, which appears not to be improving.

 

He said the erratic power supply “is taking a huge chunk of money from the operators. So, there is a need to act fast before we have issues. PAT and Watt Renewable Corporation deal will gladly address some of these lapses”.

 

Abu revealed that PAT manages about 1,000 towers in Nigeria, which, according to him, will double by year end, adding that the firm also has footprints in Ghana.

 

Seun Fajebe, PAT financial controller, explained  that it is a partnership, where the tower firm need not put money down because there are investment partners.

 

According to Fajebe, “it means as PAT, we need not invest in power facilities at the site by ourselves; we have a technical partner, who handles all that to ensure that there is power at all time. Before now, those sites run on conventional power, but with the new deal, we now have alternative power supply including solar energy, back up batteries, and the conventional power as a third layer, making it three in one. With this new move, the probability of the sites going down has been completely checked”.

 

Oluwole Eweje, chief executive officer of Watt Renewable, said the partnership is an infrastructure based one, adding that the Nigerian subsidiary will provide alternative power supply to PAT, to help it cut expenses on electricity generation by half.

 

Eweje said “we are not just providing power to a business, what we are also doing is to use that as an anchor station to provide power to communities that are without power within the country. We are looking at connecting at about 4,000 new connections, businesses and residential homes. PAT has towers across the country, even in rural, semi-urban and urban areas; we shall be providing them with the facilities”.

 

He added that “we have been working on this project since last year before we concluded recently. It is a $20 million (7.2 billion naira) deal. It is a long term project. We have got some international investors on this for us. In the first phase, about 45 sites will be rolled out; we are targeting growing organically in the country”.

 

Also speaking on the development, Sherisse Alexander, director of Investor Relations, Watt Renewable, noted that for improved services, partnership between telecoms operators and power firms are critical to the development of the telecoms sector in Nigeria.


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Airtel Nigeria Leads Telecom Market Surge

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In a recent revelation from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Airtel Nigeria has emerged as a standout performer in the country’s telecommunications sector, marking significant gains in market share over the past year.

According to the NCC data, by the end of March 2024, Airtel Nigeria has grown its market share over the last year into a remarkable 29%, solidifying its position as a leading telecom provider in the region.

In stark contrast, other mobile network operators such as MTN and 9mobile have faced considerable setbacks, with MTN witnessing a notable 3.19% decline in market share and 9mobile experiencing a 0.5% decrease.

Even Glo, a prominent player in the market, saw a decline, albeit less pronounced, with a 0.58% drop in its share of internet subscribers.

Airtel Nigeria’s success story goes beyond market share gains. The company has also witnessed a substantial surge in its share of internet subscribers, boasting an impressive 165% basis points increase.

This surge correlates with the launch of Airtel 5G, which the company began rolling out in June 2023 and underscores the telco’s continued push to grow its customer base nationwide.

Airtel Nigeria’s ascendancy in the telecom market comes at a pivotal moment when mobile network operators face challenges of rising operations cost and exchange rates volatility. The company’s recent results solidify its position as a frontrunner in Nigeria’s telecom landscape.

 


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Airtel Boosts NIPR Public Relations Week with Onsite Unlimited Data Connection

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Telecommunications service provider, Airtel Nigeria has collaborated with the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) to provide with unlimited internet access at the institute’s inaugural edition of the Nigeria Public Relations Week.

The trailblazing event themed ‘Leveraging Public Relations as a Critical Asset for Nigeria’s Economic and Reputation Renaissance’ is set to run from Monday, April 22nd to Friday, April 26th, 2024, and will welcome thousands of delegates across Nigeria to the prestigious June 12 Cultural Centre, nestled in the heart of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

Speaking on the strategic collaboration, Femi Adeniran, Director, Corporate Communications and CSR, Airtel Nigeria, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “Airtel is proud to support the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations in its endeavor to advance the field of public relations.

“The relevance of public relations practice in Nigeria cannot be overstated, as it plays a vital role in shaping perceptions, managing reputations, and influencing public opinion. Hence, our support is a demonstration of our commitment to empowering individuals and organizations with innovative solutions that drive progress and create an enabling society.”

According to NIPR, through the PRWeek Organizing \Committee Chairman, Mr Yomi Badejo Okusanya, the NPRW will gather over 2,000 experts in the fields of economics, PR, and nation-building to discuss strategies for effectively communicating government policies and initiatives to the public.

Other activities at the NPRW will include conferences, the annual general meeting, workshops, induction of new members, breakout sessions with students as well as traditional rulers and a tour of some legacy projects in Ogun state.

With Airtel’s provision of onsite unlimited data connection, attendees and participants can enjoy unparalleled access to online resources, real-time updates, and interactive engagements throughout the duration of the event. This will significantly support the exchange of ideas, foster networking opportunities, and elevate the overall experience for all stakeholders involved.

Airtel Nigeria remains committed to offering unwavering support for initiatives aimed at driving innovation, collaboration, and nation-building.


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World Earth Day: Kuda Partners with Wecyclers to Clean up Communities in Lagos

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In a landmark partnership aimed at promoting sustainable waste management practices, Kuda Microfinance Bank and Wecyclers collaborated to commemorate World Earth Day on April 22, 2024. The collaboration featured a series of impactful activities designed to raise awareness and foster environmental stewardship.

The activities on the day included a webinar session facilitated by renowned expert in environmental management and head of ESG at Wecyclers, Omobolanle Olowu, during which she shared startling data on plastic pollution in Nigeria. She also discussed the importance of proper waste management and its significance in preserving the planet for future generations, providing valuable insights and practical tips on reducing, reusing, and recycling waste.

In a published study on plastic pollution in Nigeria, the country ranked ninth globally for plastic pollution with an estimated 2.5 million tons of plastic waste generated annually and less than 12% of those waste materials recycled.

Also on the day, Kuda staff volunteered for an environmental cleanup exercise, during which they took to parts of Apapa Road, Ebute Metta to empty gutters and collect plastics and other recyclable materials for recycling.

In addition, volunteers from Kuda gained firsthand knowledge of innovative waste management solutions during a guided tour of Wecyclers’ facility in Ebute Metta. The tour showcased Wecyclers’ pioneering efforts in recycling and waste upcycling, demonstrating how technology can be leveraged to address environmental challenges effectively.

Speaking about the collaboration, Emmanuel Femi-Adejobi, Senior Brand Manager at Kuda, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership’s potential to drive positive change. “We [Kuda] are committed to promoting sustainability and environmental consciousness. We also believe that our responsibility is not only to our customers and other stakeholders but also the environment that we all share. Partnering with Wecyclers allows us to inspire communities to adopt eco-friendly practices,” he said.

“Our initiatives towards achieving a sustainable environment and achieving a green earth goes beyond just recycling. We aim to inspire a broader commitment to waste minimization, reusing materials and proper sustainable waste management. As we commemorate World Earth Day, we encourage our staff, customers and general public as a whole to embrace actions that promote a green, safe earth for all,” he added.

Likewise, Esther Chibueyin Fagbo, Head, Human Resources and Partnerships at Wecyclers, emphasised the importance of collective action in addressing environmental issues. “It is very important for organisations to collaborate on initiatives that help save the environment. We are excited about this partnership because such partnerships are crucial to creating awareness and educating people about the impact of plastic waste on the planet and how they can contribute to a change that we all deserve.”

Kuda’s collaboration with Wecyclers emphasises its commitment to sustainability and championing proactive efforts through education, engagement and action to create an environmentally conscious population and a sustainable tomorrow.


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