ARE & GSMA partner to fast-track energy access and enhance telecommunications connectivity in underserved rural communities
13.05.2025, Kampala – The GSMA and the Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE) announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishing a formal partnership to promote decentralised renewable energy solutions and improve telecommunications access in rural and underserved communities.
The three-year agreement, signed at the 10th ARE Energy Access Investment Forum in Kampala, Uganda, outlines a comprehensive framework for collaboration to address barriers to DRE adoption and telecommunications access in low to middle-income countries.
ARE and GSMA underscore that the climate transition and digital transition require stronger coordination between both sectors, especially in Africa and this can leverage valuable industry expertise and improve the commercial viability of digital and energy use cases significantly.
As part of this MoU, both partners aim to develop joint policy statements, organise stakeholder dialogues, and publish research papers to address regulatory barriers and foster an enabling environment for DRE providers. They will also collaborate to amplify key messages, events, and resources from both organisations to enhance industry awareness and engagement.
Delivering joint services and support for renewable energy companies and mobile operators—through events, workshops, and networking opportunities—is also a key objective of this partnership. Finally, both organisations aim to develop joint funding proposals to accelerate access to energy and connectivity in remote, rural, and peri-urban regions across Africa.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Gillian-Alexandre Huart, Board Member at ARE affirmed: “Electricity and connectivity are deeply intertwined, especially in rural areas where both are instrumental in accelerating economic and social development. Telecommunications towers can serve as powerful anchor loads for mini-grids, making renewable energy solutions more sustainable and scalable. This partnership between ARE and the GSMA is a critical step toward accelerating rural electrification and unlocking new opportunities for millions to access digital services, participate in the economy, and connect with the world.”
The partnership aligns with the recently launched ARE Powering Industries Campaign, which aims to connect renewable energy suppliers and industries/demand side sectors like telecom, agriculture, mining, e-mobility, healthcare, etc., in emerging markets with decarbonisation objectives and challenges in accessing reliable and affordable power.