Sierra Leone’s Zoodlabs has announced a partnership with Nairobi-based CrossBoundary Energy to power the towers enabling the first 5G data rollout in Sierra Leone’s capital Freetown.
Zoodlabs SL announced this at the Digital Government Summit held in Sierra Leone on June 4.
This initiative marks a significant step in Sierra Leone’s digital transformation, as CrossBoundary Energy is powering the project’s first phase with solar PV, battery storage, and generator solutions that will provide 99.9% uptime while reducing reliance on fossil fuels and cutting emissions.
ZoodLabs is supplying the telecommunications equipment while CrossBoundary Energy is supplying the renewable energy equipment necessary for powering the 5G network.
Oliver Benham, Director of Operations for Telecom Solutions at CrossBoundary Energy, said, “Our solution is designed to maximize uptime whilst increasing renewable energy penetration and minimizing diesel generator usage.
“The effect is that telecom operators like Zoodlabs have a reliable, affordable, and cleaner way of powering their network that does not rely on utility energy supply or fossil fuels.”
The deployment of 5G technology is expected to unlock faster data speeds, lower latency, and expand digital inclusion across Sierra Leone, a country where broadband penetration is just 20.7% .
It also lays the groundwork for future advancements such as smart cities, remote healthcare services, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications for local businesses.
“The new network, leapfrogging the need for cable infrastructure, will lead to increased digital inclusion and access to quality connectivity for businesses and individuals across the capital”, a statement by CrossBoundary Energy stated.
David Kapkima, CEO at Zoodlabs, said, “5G is not just about faster phones—it’s a foundational technology for smart cities, autonomous vehicles, remote healthcare, and businesses that rely on IoT. CrossBoundary Energy’s specialized knowledge in solar energy solutions has enabled Zoodlabs to power this infrastructure sustainably.”
The collaboration between Zoodlabs and CrossBoundary Energy positions Sierra Leone as a regional example of how clean energy and next-generation connectivity can go hand in hand to drive economic growth and digital innovation.
Zoodlabs’ first towers are situated in Freetown, and plans are underway to expand the 5G data access across Sierra Leone.
