MTN Uganda reduced Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 45 percent against its 2021 baseline, supported by renewable energy, energy-efficiency measures and lower-carbon network infrastructure.
MTN Uganda 2025 Sustainability Report indicated that absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions declined to 6,571 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCOâ‚‚e) in 2025. This included 5,976 tCOâ‚‚e from Scope 1 emissions and 594 tCOâ‚‚e from Scope 2 emissions.
The performance places MTN Uganda five percentage points away from its interim target of reducing operational emissions by 50 percent by 2030. The telecom operator aims to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across Scopes 1, 2 and 3 by 2040 under its Project Zero strategy.
Scope 3 Emissions Fall 16.2 Percent
MTN Uganda’s Scope 3 emissions declined 16.2 percent to 45,458.40 tCO₂e in 2025, compared with 54,253.11 tCO₂e in 2024.
The company therefore eliminated approximately 8,795 tCOâ‚‚e of value-chain emissions within one year.
Scope 3 remained MTN Uganda’s largest emissions category, accounting for approximately 87 percent of its combined Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 emissions in 2025. This makes suppliers and other value-chain partners critical to the company’s 2040 net-zero strategy.
MTN Uganda reported that 70 percent of its leading suppliers by spending had committed to supporting its net-zero ambition, enabling the telecom operator to achieve its 2025 supplier climate target.
MTN Uganda Operates 3,712 Green Network Sites
MTN Uganda deployed 3,712 green network sites powered by solar, hydropower and other lower-carbon energy solutions.
More than 90 percent of the company’s network tower sites now use clean or low-carbon energy. The transition reduces reliance on conventional electricity and carbon-intensive backup power systems.
MTN Uganda is also introducing lithium-ion battery backup technology across its telecom infrastructure. Lithium-ion systems generally deliver higher energy efficiency, longer operating life and improved energy management compared with older battery technologies.
Network infrastructure represents an important focus for telecom decarbonisation because expanding mobile coverage and data traffic can increase electricity consumption. Renewable power and more efficient battery systems allow MTN Uganda to expand its network while limiting the associated increase in greenhouse gas emissions.
$370,000 Solar Project Meets 25 Percent of Headquarters Demand
MTN Uganda invested more than $370,000 in an onsite solar installation at its headquarters.
The project includes 1,188 solar panels and has a reported capacity of 490 kWh. It supplies approximately 25 percent of the facility’s peak electricity demand.
MTN Uganda expects the solar system to reduce its annual electricity expenditure by approximately UGX30 million. The installation demonstrates how corporate renewable-energy projects can deliver both emissions reductions and measurable operating-cost savings.
The headquarters project complements the company’s larger clean-energy deployment across its mobile network, where power availability and backup generation are essential for maintaining reliable connectivity.
Water Withdrawal Decreases 15.2 Percent
MTN Uganda reduced total water withdrawal by 15.2 percent year on year to 54,593 cubic metres in 2025.
Based on the reported reduction, the company lowered its annual water consumption by approximately 9,800 cubic metres.
Water efficiency forms part of MTN Uganda’s wider strategy to reduce the environmental intensity of its operations. Continued monitoring will be important as network expansion, office operations and equipment-cooling requirements affect future resource consumption.
Non-Hazardous Waste Falls to 85.12 Tonnes
Non-hazardous waste generation declined 2.46 percent to 85.12 tonnes during 2025.
However, only 2.6 percent of the waste generated was diverted from disposal through recycling and recovery. This indicates that waste recovery remains an area where MTN Uganda has significant room for improvement.
Increasing recycling, equipment reuse and material recovery could help the company develop a more circular approach to managing operational and network waste.
MTN Foundation Invests UGX5.1 Billion
MTN Uganda invested UGX5.1 billion through the MTN Foundation, with its community programs benefiting more than 60,000 people.
The social investment complements the company’s environmental initiatives by extending its sustainability strategy to digital inclusion and community development.
MTN Uganda Moves Closer to 2030 Climate Target
MTN Uganda’s sustainability performance in 2025 was led by a 45 percent reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, a 16.2 percent decline in Scope 3 emissions and the expansion of green network infrastructure to 3,712 sites.
The company now operates more than 90 percent of its tower sites using clean or low-carbon energy. Its $370,000 headquarters solar installation supplies around 25 percent of peak electricity demand and is expected to save UGX30 million annually. MTN Uganda must reduce its operational emissions by another five percentage points to meet its 2030 target. Achieving net zero across the full value chain by 2040 will be more challenging because Scope 3 emissions remain nearly seven times higher than Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions combined.
SHAFANA FAZAL
