By Royal Ibeh

Copyright businessday

IHS Nigeria, a subsidiary of IHS Holding Limited (NYSE: IHS), has released its 2023 and 2024 Impact Report, spotlighting wide-ranging initiatives designed to foster sustainable development across Nigeria.

The report, which covers activities from January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2024, reflects the company’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), its four-pillar sustainability strategy, and alignment with the Nigerian government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The four sustainability pillars: education and economic growth, environment and climate change, our people and communities, and ethics and governance, form the backbone of IHS Nigeria’s interventions across the country.

Under its education and economic growth agenda, IHS Nigeria supported the construction and operation of the Ilorin Innovation Hub, expected to become Nigeria’s largest innovation centre. It also backed hubs in Ogbomosho, Oyo state, and Alimosho, Lagos state, providing platforms for skills development and entrepreneurship.

IHS Nigeria, in partnership with the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy,
contributed to the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) initiative, training more than 100,000 Nigerians in digital skills. The company also facilitated international exposure for 10 Nigerian educators through the Limitless Global Educator Program in partnership with the Limitless Space Institute, which included a visit to NASA’s Space Center.

On school connectivity, IHS Nigeria partnered with the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF Nigeria to support 956 schools, with 421 already connected to the internet. This effort enabled students to access the Nigerian Learning Passport under the UNICEF GenU initiative.

IHS Nigeria’s environmental impact included the planting of 4,000 trees nationwide, the installation of 144 solar streetlights across eight states, benefiting nearly 24,000 residents and the deployment of hybrid power solutions at 6,747 tower sites to cut diesel dependence. The company also supported over 700 students with eco-friendly educational tools to build climate awareness among the younger generation.

To strengthen healthcare systems, IHS Nigeria constructed nine medical oxygen plants across states including Bauchi, Ogun, Kano, and Rivers, benefiting an estimated 90,000 patients. The company also built four solar-powered boreholes in Borno State, providing clean water to over 20,000 people.

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IHS Nigeria, in partnership with the END Fund, supported 201 hydrocele surgeries and helped deliver treatment for over one million Nigerians affected by neglected tropical diseases. Additionally, working with the Nigeria Solidarity Support Fund in Cross River State, the company helped vaccinate over 10,000 children.

On governance, IHS Nigeria maintained alignment with ISO 26000 guidelines on social responsibility. The company trained 238 suppliers and its supply chain team in sustainable procurement practices and supported 11 research publications under the Telecommunications and Technology Sustainability Working Group. It also awarded six start-ups with seed grants through the Sustainable Solution Africa Program, boosting innovation and entrepreneurship.

Mohamad Darwish, CEO, IHS Nigeria, commented, “As a business, our focus is not only on providing the connectivity that powers this economy, but also on making a lasting impact in the communities we serve. From a mother who is supported through childbirth with medical oxygen, to a child who writes his first line of code through our digital literacy initiatives, to a father who now worries less about health expenses, to educators who benefit from an unique opportunity to visit the NASA Space Center, these transformational stories provide us with fulfilment as a business and present a picture of progress. There is no better purpose than improving the wellbeing of our fellow citizens and helping encourage hope in the prospects of our country.”

Dapo Otunla, chief corporate services officer, IHS Nigeria, commented, “We believe in the power of the community and in empowering our people to help them unlock their full potential. Our interventions cut across the six geopolitical regions in Nigeria, as we seek to help pave the way for socioeconomic development and ensure that all Nigerians, regardless of their location, benefit from a better quality of life.”