Today’s workforce is values-driven, and that includes all of us at Vodacom. Research shows that 75% of employees globally view societal impact and 68.6% regard environmental policies as essential when choosing an employer. We aim to future-proof our business and create workplaces where purpose and profit coexist.
The big win: 100% renewable power achievement
Here’s the headline that should make every Vodacom employee proud: we’ve reached 100% renewable electricity procurement.
“We are extremely proud of this achievement as we continue to reduce our environmental impact and improve the sustainability of our operations across Africa,” says Dejan Kastelic, our Chief Technology Officer.
“Our 100% renewable electricity procurement marks a significant milestone in our ongoing strategy to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in our direct operations by 2035.”
Power Play: Three Routes to Renewables
We use three methods to achieve our renewable energy targets: on-site renewable installations, renewable power purchase agreements (PPAs) and renewable energy certificates (RECs).
Last year, we consumed 2 076 GWh of energy. Of this, 1 275 GWh was purchased electricity, with 906 GWh coming from the grid rather than our own generation or PPAs. To offset the environmental impact of this grid electricity, we bought RECs covering operations in South Africa, Egypt, Tanzania, DRC, Mozambique and Lesotho.
Innovation at Work: Making Renewable Energy Accessible
Achieving 100% renewable energy required genuine innovation. We recently became the first company to fully operationalise virtual wheeling in South Africa, marking a breakthrough in the country’s energy transformation. Virtual wheeling enables renewable energy supply through independent producers like wind and solar farms.
“Executing this innovation is an immensely proud moment for Vodacom South Africa, and highly significant for the country’s future where energy is concerned,” says Sitho Mdlalose, CEO of Vodacom South Africa.
“Virtual wheeling is a game-changer for companies like ours with distributed operations, removing long-standing barriers to access renewable energy.”
Vodafone Egypt secured 76% of its electricity via a renewable power purchase agreement with the government, while innovative pilot projects like the “solar flower” provide solutions for deploying renewable energy where space is constrained. This circular flower design, made up of 12 solar panels, helps to maximise renewable energy deployment on available tower space, reducing diesel consumption.
Looking ahead, we’re committed to eliminating reliance on diesel generators and exploring alternative technologies such as microturbines and hydrogen fuel cells. This puts us firmly on track for our 2035 net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions target – a cornerstone of our Vision 2030 goal to Protect the planet.
Small Changes, Big Impact: The eSIM Advantage
Sometimes the small innovations create the big environmental wins. Our transition to eSIM technology, initially in South Africa, illustrates this point. By replacing traditional plastic SIM cards with embedded chips, we’re eliminating millions of pieces of plastic waste while reducing the carbon emissions associated with manufacturing, packaging and shipping physical cards.
Every eSIM activation represents not just improved customer convenience but a concrete step towards reducing our industry’s environmental footprint.
Ocean Guardians: Protecting Marine Life with Technology
Perhaps nowhere is our commitment to Protect the planet more evident than in our marine conservation work. Through our partnership with WWF South Africa, we’re leveraging cutting-edge technology to protect whales and promote sustainable oceans in Saldanha Bay.
Our AI-powered detection system, integrated with IoT sensors, infrared cameras and hydrophones, creates an early warning system that alerts mussel farmers when whales enter the area. This innovative approach prevents entanglement incidents while supporting sustainable aquaculture practices.
The impact extends beyond individual whale rescues. Each whale stores up to 33 tonnes of CO₂ during its lifetime, making them crucial allies in our fight against climate change. With six out of 13 great whale species currently endangered or vulnerable, every life saved contributes to healthier, more sustainable oceans.
The Ripple Effect: Leading By Example
Our sustainability efforts, from renewable energy to marine conservation, demonstrate something powerful: the tech sector holds both the responsibility and capability to lead efforts in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, particularly in regions like Africa where climate impacts are already deeply felt.
As Dejan says, “At Vodacom, we are committed to setting the standard in energy efficiency and accelerating the transition to renewable energy.” This leadership extends beyond our own operations. By proving that 100% renewable energy is achievable for African telecoms operators, we’re encouraging investment in renewable infrastructure and inspiring other companies to follow suit.
