Hickley, an e-waste recycling company established in Nigeria, has developed a semi-industrialised recycling facility capable of processing an impressive 10,000 tons of waste annually. The company’s innovative approach allows it to handle diverse waste streams, including batteries from cars, inverters, phones, laptops, and solar power units. In a milestone achievement, Hickley became the first company to export lithium batteries from Nigeria to Europe for safe treatment, setting a new standard in responsible e-waste management. Recognising the unique challenges faced by telecom towers, which often operate in remote, off-grid locations and rely heavily on diesel generators for 24/7 service, Hickley is now embarking on an ambitious project. In partnership with IHS, Nigeria’s largest telecom tower owner, and with funding from PREO, Hickley aims to validate a proof of concept for developing and installing second-life batteries to power these towers. This initiative seeks to address the energy needs of critical communication infrastructure as well as promoting circularity by repurposing used batteries.