This paper looks at why mobile networks need dependable and affordable energy to connect people and businesses across Sub-Saharan Africa. Reliable mobile connectivity is increasingly fundamental to many sectors and services, including other critical infrastructure and services. Mobile connectivity is especially critical given Africa’s very low fixed broadband penetration of less than 1%. Disruptions in energy and connectivity have widespread impacts on people and the economy. Mobile networks need reliable and affordable energy to provide reliable, high-quality connectivity services to people and businesses across all sectors. Mobile networks are a unique commercial end-user of energy; they are highly distributed, with thousands of base stations per country, and an important energy user. The lack of reliable, widespread grid electricity and clean, affordable and scalable alternatives in the region also means that mobile network operators and tower operators are collectively using hundreds of millions of litres of diesel per year to power mobile base stations.