Telecom
Ericsson Commits to Net Zero by 2040 in 2021 Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility Report

Ericsson delivered on its sustainability targets and made a series of new commitments in 2021. The company put a particular focus on energy performance and strengthening its ambition to reach Net Zero across its value chain by 2040.
In 2021 Ericsson introduced a new vision to improve lives, redefine business and pioneer a sustainable future. Building on decades as a sustainability pioneer, the company has made a strong commitment to fulfilling this vision through its own efforts and through working across and beyond the ICT ecosystem.
This focus is reflected in Ericsson’s latest Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility Report, which highlights its 2021 performance across the areas of responsible business, environmental sustainability and digital inclusion.
“Our sustainability-driven solutions and partnerships create real impact for our customers and our stakeholders,” says Heather Johnson, Ericsson’s Head of Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility.
“But they also create value for society, whether by enabling the reduction of emissions across industries, creating more energy-efficient networks or helping to bridge the digital divide. We made significant progress towards our sustainability goals in 2021, and we are now setting even more ambitious targets for the future.”
Performance and highlights
Net Zero: In 2021 Ericsson set a long-term ambition to be Net Zero by 2040 across its value chain. To meet this ambition, Ericsson will work towards 1.5°C aligned climate targets set by the Paris Agreement.
The first major milestone is to achieve Net Zero emissions from the company’s own activities by 2030 – as well as reducing emissions by 50 percent in its portfolio and supply chain also by 2030.
Energy performance: To meet customer expectations and help the telecom industry reach Net Zero, Ericsson has developed innovative solutions that enable operator networks to use as little energy as possible while managing expected growth in data traffic, meeting the needs of both current and future 5G networks.
In 2021, Ericsson achieved 36% energy savings from delivered Ericsson Radio System radios versus the legacy portfolio, surpassing the company’s approved Science Based Target of 35 percent one year ahead of schedule.
During 2021, Ericsson also launched a series of ultra-light Massive MIMO radios that are 10 percent more energy efficient than the previous generation.
Digital inclusion: The digital divide continues to be a key challenge to global economic development with roughly 2.9 billion people still offline. With innovative technologies and services, Ericsson and its partners and customers are pioneering new ways to connect societies and improve lives.
In 2021 Ericsson continued its partnership with UNICEF in support of the Giga initiative, helping to map schools and assessing their connectivity in 35 countries by the end of 2023.
Ericsson also made a commitment to positively impact one million children and youth by 2025 by providing access to digital learning and skill development programs as part of the World Economic Forum-aligned EDISON Alliance 1 Billion Lives Challenge.
Corporate responsibility: Ericsson continued its focus on health, safety and well-being in 2021, including a robust COVID-19 response that included a focus on employee mental health and access to vaccines in places where they were not easily accessible.
In 2021 there was an increase in work-related fatalities compared to 2020, in contrast to the decreasing trend of recent years. The company has declared this unacceptable and is more committed than ever to Target Zero – a goal of zero fatalities and lost workday incidents.
Ericsson launched its revised Code of Business Ethics, which defines both the company’s ethical principles and its expectations of responsibility across the value chain. The company also added integrity as one of its four core values as well as publishing a report on the human rights impact of 5G.
Ericsson’s Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility Report is part of the Company’s Annual Report and externally assured by an independent third party. It is also produced in accordance with GRI Sustainability Reporting Standards and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights Reporting Framework.
Ericsson continues to strengthen its radio access network (RAN) portfolio with solutions that address the 5G rollout and sustainability goals of communications service providers. Announced today, the portfolio additions will deliver sizeable energy savings and up to ten-fold capacity increases – with minimal or no added footprint.
Leading the portfolio enhancements is Radio 4490, a dual-band radio that delivers 25 percent lower power consumption and lesser weight compared to the current product. This radio type is compatible with most of the radio sites globally as it supports the main FDD (Frequency Division Duplex) bands being used by many service providers for their 5G deployment.
Ericsson is also launching a high-power version of the new dual-band radio, 4490 HP, which enables up to 50 percent more output power compared to current radios. The two new radios apply passive cooling – reducing power consumption further, as fans are not needed. They are also Cloud RAN-ready.
Per Narvinger, Head of Product Area Networks, Ericsson, says: “We continue to evolve our RAN portfolio with more solutions for smart, slim, and sustainable 5G networks. Our latest innovations will further optimize 5G sites for both purpose-built and Cloud RAN deployments.”
5G rollouts are accelerating across the world, with frontrunners gearing up for the shift to 5G Standalone to drive new consumer and enterprise use cases. Introducing 5G means added spectrum and hardware – which is where Ericsson’s new products play a key role through the ability to raise capacity while slashing power usage – fueling efforts to break the energy curve.
Telecom
GBB Reaffirms Commitment to Driving Public Sector Innovation @ the 5th Public Service Innovation Competition Awards

Galaxy Backbone (GBB), Nigeria’s digital infrastructure and shared services provider, joined other key government institutions at the 5th Public Service Innovation Competition Award Ceremony, organized by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF).
The event, which held in Abuja, celebrated groundbreaking ideas from Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) that are reimagining public service delivery through innovation.
The ceremony, which attracted notable dignitaries including the Chief Host herself, The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, OON mni. Others include, former Heads of Service, Dame Amal Pepple and Mr. Danladi Kifasi, and the Chairman of the House Committee on Public Service, Hon. Sani Bala, showcased the vibrancy and ingenuity of Nigeria’s Civil Servants.
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the MD/CEO of Galaxy Backbone, Mr. Sani Ibrahim, Executive Director, Finance & Corporate Services, underscored the importance of inter-agency collaboration, digital literacy, and innovative thinking as pillars for national development.
He emphasized that GBB remains deeply committed to supporting initiatives like the Innovation Competition, which foster a culture of creativity, problem-solving, and transformation across the public sector.
“Innovation is no longer a luxury — it is essential to building a responsive, efficient, and digitally enabled government. At Galaxy Backbone, we are proud to align with this vision through our Integrated Digital Transformation Strategy (IDTS), which drives digital infrastructure, innovation, data security, and capacity building across MDAs,” he stated.
The 2025 edition of the competition saw an outstanding 155 entries, with 132 individuals pitching innovative ideas and 66 thematic teams presenting implementable solutions designed to enhance service delivery and governance.
Themed around streamlining bureaucratic processes, succession planning, employee welfare, and change management, this year’s event reaffirmed the role of innovation in shaping a future-ready public service.
Galaxy Backbone recognizes the critical role of digital transformation in empowering civil servants to create lasting impact. By supporting platforms such as the Public Service Innovation Competition, GBB reinforces its commitment to equipping the public sector with the tools, skills, and digital infrastructure necessary for Nigeria’s progress.
As part of this commitment, GBB will also be providing mentorship for all the winners of the innovation challenge, helping them refine their ideas, scale implementation, and drive sustainable transformation across the public service.
As the country advances on its journey toward e-governance and efficient service delivery, GBB continues to stand as a strategic partner in building a connected, innovative, and digitally skilled public service.
Telecom
5 tips to start taking digital payments as a business in Africa

Not long ago, cash was dominant in Africa, but digital payments are now rapidly gaining traction.
From Lagos to Kenya and the US, businesses are recognising that embracing digital methods is essential for growth.
A Mastercard-commissioned report forecasts Africa’s digital payments market will reach $1.5 trillion by 2030, fueled by increased mobile phone usage and e-commerce. While cash is still common, mobile money is on the rise.
Zabira is simplifying this transition for SMEs, freelancers, and online merchants. In August 2019, the company launched Zabira to innovate Nigeria’s cashless transaction market, offering services like crypto trading and utility payments.
The Zabira app supports four major fiat currencies—USD, NGN, GHC, and KES, making cross-border transactions seamless. It also provides access to over 20 cryptocurrencies, giving users flexibility and freedom in managing their digital finances.
For small business owners looking to adopt digital payments, here are five easy tips to get started.
1. Choose a Platform That Does It All
Choose a digital payment platform like Zabira that offers multiple services in one app, including cryptocurrency trading, utility bill payments, and fiat transactions, to manage your financial life seamlessly.
2. Integrate Crypto Payments Early
Africa is rapidly growing as a crypto market. Zabira allows businesses to accept Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USDT, facilitating real-time trading of crypto assets. This gives businesses a competitive advantage in international commerce, particularly with diasporan clients.
3. Get Paid Instantly, No delay
Waiting three to five business days for payment to clear can disrupt cash flow. Zabira offers instant fiat payments through a robust blockchain system, allowing businesses to move money quickly, pay suppliers faster, and avoid telling customers to “wait till Monday.”
4. Opt for a user-friendly app
Zabira is incredibly easy to use, with no confusing menus or hidden steps. Users can download the app on Android and on iOS.
5. Offer More Than Just Products
Zabira offers more than money transfers; users can top up airtime and data, pay cable bills, and fund betting wallets within the app. Businesses can learn to add value beyond just selling products.
Telecom
Onafriq and Circle Partner to Revolutionize Cross-Border Payments in Africa with USDC

Onafriq, Africa’s largest payments gateway, and Circle, stablecoin market leader and issuer of USDC, today announced their strategic partnership aimed at transforming cross-border payments and digital financial services.
This collaboration marks a significant step towards compliantly leveraging stablecoins and blockchain infrastructure to boost Onafriq’s payment network, positioning it at the forefront of the digital payment’s revolution for real-world financial applications.
Currently, over 80 percent of intra-African payments are routed through correspondent banks outside the continent and settled in foreign currencies such as the US dollar or Euro. This results in a staggering US$5 billion in transaction fees annually and undermines economic integration efforts.
Onafriq and Circle are working together to change this paradigm by piloting the use of USDC-powered settlement solutions into Onafriq’s network, which connects over 500 wallets and 200 million bank accounts in more than 40 African markets.
Onafriq’s founder and CEO, Dare Okoudjou, said: “Our partnership with Circle is an important milestone, reinforcing Onafriq’s commitment to harnessing technology to remove complexity from cross-border payments. By integrating USDC, we aim to simplify financial transactions for institutions and individuals, reduce costs, and strengthen trust.
This collaboration underscores our vision to democratise access to payments and drive financial inclusion across the globe. We’re not just envisioning the future of payments – we’re actively building it.”
Miriam Kiwan, Vice President, Middle East & Africa at Circle, said: “The emerging markets that Onafriq serves hold tremendous potential for digital asset innovation, particularly in the adoption of stablecoins for cross-border payments.
“Our partnership with Onafriq aligns perfectly with Circle’s mission to promote financial inclusion and improve efficiency in areas where traditional banking has often been costly and inaccessible.
“Together, we aim to transform how money moves across borders, offering secure and transparent digital payment rails that enhance economic empowerment and connectivity.”
This collaboration is a major step toward a more inclusive and self-reliant pan-African financial system. It signals a new phase in the modernisation of African payment rails – one where blockchain technology is applied responsibly, in lockstep with regulators and financial institutions, to build a faster, more efficient, and economically empowering future for the continent.
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