Airtel Madagascar, in collaboration with Nokia, has unveiled the country’s first fully off-grid Rural Connect sites, marking a significant step toward extending mobile connectivity to underserved rural communities.
Utilising Nokia’s innovative Rural Connect solution — which combines AirScale Radio Access, renewable energy systems, and lean civil structures — these sites enable Airtel Madagascar to offer reliable, high-quality coverage in some of the most remote areas where connectivity was previously unavailable.
This initiative underscores Airtel Madagascar’s dedication to bridging the digital divide and meeting its universal service obligations, while also aligning with Nokia’s strategic mission to connect unserved populations through sustainable and energy-efficient technology solutions across Africa.
The push to improve rural connectivity comes at a critical time. According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), around 2.6 billion people worldwide lack internet access, with 1.8 billion residing in rural regions. These figures highlight both the challenge and the opportunity for digital transformation. Research from the World Bank indicates that a 10% increase in broadband penetration can boost GDP by up to 2.5% in developing countries, while GSMA forecasts suggest that closing the mobile internet usage gap could add as much as $700 billion to global GDP by 2030.
Nokia’s Rural Connect solution addresses these issues head-on by offering a cost-effective, sustainable approach to rural connectivity. The solution emphasises circular economy principles by reusing refurbished radio access network hardware and integrates renewable energy sources such as solar or hybrid solar-wind systems to support fully off-grid operation. It also supports flexible backhaul options, including microwave, user equipment relay, and low Earth orbit satellite links, ensuring reliable performance even in the most challenging terrains.
“Our collaboration with Nokia represents a transformative step in ensuring that no community is left behind in Madagascar’s digital journey. Expanding coverage to rural areas not only meets regulatory requirements but also opens new opportunities for education, healthcare, and economic development for thousands of people,” said Anne Catherine Tchokonte Tcholagheu, CEO of Airtel Madagascar.
“Partnering with Airtel Madagascar to deploy Rural Connect sites exemplifies how innovation and sustainability can work together. Our solution provides operators with a scalable, energy-efficient, and affordable way to reach the hardest-to-access communities and extend the benefits of digital connectivity,” said Mustapha Salah, Nokia’s Head of Mobile Networks for Central, East & West Africa.
Nokia’s Rural Connect deployments across Africa—such as in Ethiopia, Egypt, Cameroon, and Mali—have already demonstrated tangible societal benefits. In one rural community in Cameroon, mobile usage increased fivefold within two weeks of activating a site, giving residents access to essential services like education, healthcare, digital commerce, and government programs.
At the core of Nokia’s Rural Connect initiative is its commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles. The initiative aims to ensure that the societal benefits of connectivity outweigh its environmental impact. Through such efforts, Nokia continues to advance digital inclusion across Africa, empowering communities with secure, sustainable, and high-performance networks that foster inclusive growth and development.
