Key Points

• IHS Nigeria saves 50 million liters of diesel through Project Green.

• $750 million invested in hybrid and solar systems across tower sites.

• Sam Darwish leads global push for cleaner telecom infrastructure.

IHS Nigeria, a subsidiary of IHS Holding Limited led by American-Nigerian telecom executive Sam Darwish, said it has reduced diesel consumption by nearly 50 million liters through its sustainability initiative, Project Green.

The program, which focuses on hybrid and solar energy integration at telecom tower sites, aims to cut carbon emissions while improving operational efficiency across the company’s Nigerian network.

Major investment in renewable energy

IHS said it has invested more than $750 million in renewable and hybrid energy projects over the past decade.

The company described the investment as part of its long-term plan to shift to cleaner, cost-effective power sources.

Speaking at the Sustainability Table Discourse Series in Lagos, themed “Sustainability in Action: Scaling the Impact of a Thriving Future to Achieve the SDGs,” IHS Director of Government and External Relations, Gimba Mohammed, said sustainability is central to the company’s strategy.

“Sustainability is at the heart of who we are,” Mohammed said on behalf of Chief Operating Officer Kazeem Oladepo.

“It’s reflected in everything we do, from powering sites responsibly to supporting local communities.”

Expanding green operations

Through Project Green, IHS has deployed hybrid energy systems at more than 6,000 tower sites and connected nearly 4,000 others to the national grid.

The company has also launched community-focused initiatives such as planting 4,000 trees in eight states and installing solar-powered streetlights in underserved areas.

In partnership with Green Hope Africa, IHS created the Climate Action Superheroes program to train students as youth climate ambassadors.

The firm also continues to strengthen electronic waste management through a partnership with the Electronic Producers Responsibility Organisation of Nigeria, supporting 69 waste collection centers and training more than 200 people.

Technology-driven sustainability

Director of Engineering and Design Ghaith Al Hasan said collaboration and innovation are driving IHS’s energy transition.

“We now operate renewable systems at over 10,000 tower sites in Nigeria,” he said.

“This shows what’s possible when technology and commitment align.”

Founded by Sam Darwish in 2001, IHS has grown into one of the world’s largest independent telecom infrastructure companies, managing more than 40,000 towers across Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East.

Darwish, who owns just over 4 percent of the company, continues to lead its expansion into digital infrastructure.

In its second-quarter report ending June 30, IHS posted revenue of $433.3 million, slightly below $435.4 million a year earlier.

Earlier this month, the company sold its Rwandan operations to Paradigm Tower Ventures for $274.5 million as part of a broader regional restructuring.