Hotspot Networks has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a consortium led by Clear Blue Technologies International Inc. and including partners Empower New Energy and Netis, to deploy 312 solar powered telecom sites across Nigeria. The deal is subject to final contract negotiations and signatures, but the rollout is targeted to start at the end of 2025.
Hotspot Networks has been active in Nigeria since 2008 and has developed and sold portfolios of towers in the country since 2012. This strategic collaboration brings together a powerhouse of expertise to design, build, and manage telecom networks efficiently using sustainable energy solutions. In addition to traditional towerco sites, Hotspot Networks has also begun offering a netco solution in which it offers passive and active network to Nigeria's mobile operators.
Clear Blue Technologies offers cutting-edge, cost-effective smart solar power solutions tailored for telecom infrastructure. Its proprietary Illumience Smart Power platform ensures maximum uptime and service reliability while minimising capital and operational costs.
Empower New Energy, a key player in clean energy project financing across Africa, provides a strong financial foundation to support the initiative. Netis specialises in telecom infrastructure management and brings its experience in installation, operations, and maintenance to the project.
“Africa’s telecom industry faces a challenging environment with stringent Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) targets. However, Nigeria presents a massive untapped market with immense growth opportunities,” said Morenikeji Aniye, CEO of Hotspot.
“Clear Blue’s innovative technology, combined with a smart business model, enables us to deploy and operate these sites efficiently while meeting cost and service level requirements.”
Empower New Energy’s CEO, Terje Osmundsen, emphasised the groundbreaking financial structuring of the project: “Our ongoing collaboration with Clear Blue has allowed us to develop a fast and flexible model that bridges the gap between Smart Power providers and financiers. This approach ensures that projects like Hotspot’s can be delivered with optimised financial structuring.”
Hatim Zougary, Chief Business Development Officer at Netis, echoed the enthusiasm: “We are excited to support Hotspot’s expansion and partner with Clear Blue and Empower New Energy to bring this project to life.”
Miriam Tuerk, CEO of Clear Blue, highlighted the broader impact: “This project represents a major step in bridging Nigeria’s digital divide. By leveraging our expertise, we’re committed to delivering connectivity solutions that will benefit millions.”
With this collaboration, the consortium is set to redefine Nigeria’s telecom landscape, offering sustainable and scalable solutions for future expansion.
