South Africa-based Vodacom stated it entered into an agreement with the government of Kenya to take a 15 per cent stake in Safaricom, in addition to a 5 per cent stake from its majority owner Vodafone Group.

In total, Vodacom will pay $2.1 billion for the stake and an additional $310 million upfront to receive Safaricom dividends previously earmarked for the Kenyan government.

Vodacom’s holding in the operator will increase from around 35 per cent per cent to 55 per cent, should the transaction be cleared by regulators.

The operator explained it sees Safaricom as one of Africa’s most attractive assets, pointing to its flagship mobile money platform m-Pesa along with a range of communications and technology offerings, and a growing suite of cloud, IoT and enterprise services.

Vodacom CEO Shameel Joosub said acquiring a controlling stake in Safaricom strengthens its position as a market leader while unlocking opportunities to drive digital and financial inclusion in Kenya and Ethiopia.

He added Safaricom’s position complements the company’s Vision 2030 ambitions, a plan to deepen its leadership in Africa’s high-growth markets and scale its diversified portfolio.

John Mbadi, Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Economic Planning said the transaction is one of the first steps by President William Ruto to unlock capital without increasing taxes or its debt burden.

“Safaricom has been, and continues to be, a key strategic investment for us, as we are retaining a 20 per cent stake as well as board representation.”

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The deal involves Vodacom unifying its dispersed data systems on Google Cloud’s infrastructure and integrating the company’s generative AI models into core business functions to boost efficiency and deliver new services.

Vodacom’s digital overhaul begins with migrating its key data platforms onto Google Cloud to improve governance and unlock real-time insights, followed by deploying the search giant’s AI tools including its Vertex AI platform and Gemini models to enhance customer care, optimise network performance and strengthen fraud detection.

The operator will also target AI product innovations, initially focusing on fintech services to broaden financial inclusion, along with fresh enterprise services and consumer experiences aimed at improving digital education and content access.

Vodacom CEO Shameel Joosub said the move is “more than a technology upgrade, it is a deep commitment to Africa’s digital revolution”.

He added Google Cloud’s tools would help “modernise our infrastructure” and “fundamentally shift our operational paradigm”.

The deal builds on Vodacom’s broader connectivity efforts across the continent.

Earlier this month, the operator signed an agreement with Elon Musk’s Starlink to deliver high-speed, low-latency satellite broadband across Africa to tackle coverage challenges in rural regions.

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Big deals in the space sector

What happened: Airbus, Leonardo and Thales signed a memorandum of understanding to merge their satellite and space operations into a single European space entity, while Lynk Global and Omnispace announced a merger backed by SES.

Why it matters: The European space powerhouse involving Airbus, Leonardo and Thales is set to launch in 2027 pending regulatory approval and aims to combine manufacturing, services and R&D capabilities to strengthen Europe’s position in the global space market. The partners said the move supports European ambitions for greater “strategic autonomy” in space and will help meet both sovereign national space requirements and international commercial demand, competing with global players such as SpaceX. The venture aims to support critical infrastructure across sectors including telecommunications, global navigation, science and national security. Meanwhile, the new SES-backed entity will merge Lynk Global’s multi-spectrum platform and Omnispace’s globally coordinated S-band spectrum to strengthen direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity. The combination of Omnispace’s S-band spectrum and Lynk’s established relationships with more than 50 MNOs spanning more than 50 countries positions the venture to compete against rivals AST SpaceMobile and SpaceX. Indeed, Omnispace CEO Ram Viswanathan said the deal unlocks the peak potential of its S-band assets and “positions us at the forefront of D2D.”

GSMA, Africa heavyweights team in AI, device push

What happened: MWC Kigali 2025 was held this week with the GSMA unveiling two new initiatives to boost digital access across Africa, as the industry charted opportunities to accelerate the continent’s digital transformation.

Why it matters: Airtel, MTN, Orange, Vodacom, Ethio Telecom and Axian Telecom joined forces with the GSMA and its AI partners to build inclusive African AI language models trained on local data. The same operator groups also unveiled joint plans to define baseline specifications to ensure affordable 4G smartphones as part of a broader push to close Africa’s usage gap. As part of this accessibility push, the industry association urged governments to scrap taxes on sub-$100 handsets, warning that duties can inflate prices by more than 30 per cent. Telco chiefs also took to the stage to call for reform, as MTN Group CEO Ralph Mupita urged governments to abandon “voice-era” rules that stifle digital growth, while Orange Group CEO Yasser Shaker called for a “level playing field” for all digital players to spur investment. However, alongside calls to action, content players including MTN, Canal+ and Wi-flix spotlighted Africa’s rapid emergence as a creator economy, not just a consumer market. “We believe there is a big opportunity that we can unlock as Africans for Africans,” noted MTN Group GM of digital services, marketing and strategy, Rolivhuwa Maluma.

Samsung releases Galaxy XR, preps AI glasses

What happened: Samsung unveiled its first extended reality headset, the Galaxy XR, powered by Google’s new Android XR platform.

Why it matters: With its latest launch, Samsung Electronics stepped up its challenge to Apple’s Vision Pro. First, the Galaxy XR carries a price tag of $1,799, roughly half of Apple’s $3,499 Vision Pro. Powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 chip, the 545g headset is also more than 25 per cent lighter than its rival. Samsung said the device integrates Google’s Gemini AI at system level, enabling intuitive voice, vision and gesture controls. Alongside the launch, the company teased a wider XR roadmap, including lighter AI eyeglasses in partnerships with Warby Parker and luxury eyewear brand Gentle Monster. Counterpoint senior analyst Flora Tang told Reuters that the Galaxy XR’s “more competitive price point” could lead it to “emerge as a strong contender in the premium VR segment, particularly within the enterprise market”.  According to the news outlet, research company Gartner forecasted the global head-mounted display market to rise 2.6 per cent to $7.3 billion next year, with most growth driven by lighter eyeglass-type AI devices such as Meta’s Ray-Ban smartglasses.

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First, the industry association joined forces with operators including Airtel, MTN, Orange, Vodacom, Ethio Telecom and Axian Telecom, alongside an array of AI players to announce a continent-wide collaboration to build inclusive African AI language models. The partners will work to develop homegrown AI models trained on African languages and local data, creating tools that can power applications across education, health, public services and creative industries.

As part of the initiative, dedicated working groups will target gaps in data, compute, talent and policy across the continent, with progress set to be showcased at upcoming GSMA events.

Although more than 2,000 languages are spoken across the continent, Angela Wamola, head of Africa at the GSMA, noted the continent’s linguistic diversity is a strength that “has too often been overlooked in the development of global AI systems”. “This initiative is about turning that challenge into an opportunity… and ensuring Africa shapes the digital future on its own terms,” she stated.

Affordable smartphones
The same six operators struck a separate partnership with the GSMA. proposing a set of baseline specifications for affordable entry-level 4G smartphones as part of a broader effort to make devices more accessible.

In the coming months, the GSMA will consult with OEMs and technology companies to refine the proposed requirements and rally support for low-cost 4G devices. The industry association also urged African governments to remove taxes on sub-$100 smartphones, noting that VAT and import duties can inflate retail prices by more than 30 per cent and slow digital inclusion efforts.

According to GSMA Intelligence, a $40 handset could bring mobile internet to 20 million additional users, while a $30 device could connect up to 50 million.

GSMA director general Vivek Badrinath said: “Access to a smartphone is not a luxury – it is a lifeline to essential services, income opportunities and participation in the digital economy”, adding that the move sends “a powerful signal to manufacturers and policymakers” to unite behind affordability.

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Speaking during a section on Africa’s fintech outlook, Okusanya noted everybody has some form of digital means for making payments, but they do not speak to each other.

She acknowledged digital payments have made a significant progress “thanks to our friends in the telecoms space”, but pointed to fragmentation as a major problem.

To overcome this in Africa, she said the industry needs to think about interoperability across different countries and solutions, ensuring a user can transfer from a wallet to a bank account and from an account to a card. The key is to ensure the merchant does not have to worry about how to collect the payment.

“For us to crack that next growth phase, we have to think from the perspective of one Africa, 50-plus states and one payment rail”, or pathway.

Okusanya believes the sector will reach a point where wallets will not just be apps on smartphones, they will be in many forms, which she believes is going to make way for embedded finance.

She explained this is basically moving to the point where people make an order and the payment does itself.

Airtel Mobile Commerce Rwanda MD Jean Claude Gaga agreed the sector needs to focus on interoperability, suggesting fintech has reached a stage where it no longer looks at a smaller, closed-loop ecosystem.

He explained “whatever we’re building, we are looking at much bigger ecosystem. If you are looking to scale and make an impact”, you need interoperability.

Gaga highlighted the importance of SIM-swap APIs, giving the example of a financial company reducing fraud from between 12 per cent and 15 per cent to almost zero once it applied the interface into account opening processes.

Jean Bosco Iyacu, CEO of think tank Access to Finance Rwanda which is part of the Financial Sector Deepening network in Sub-Saharan Africa, argued it is difficult to use only one service, as many want to use multiple offerings to handle different needs.

Looking at the key barriers affecting fintech adoption in the region, he highlighted the vast majority of people living in rural areas are still excluded, and noted gender and education levels are also limiting factors.

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During the event’s opening keynote, Mupita told GSMA director general Vivek Badrinath (pictured, left) that while coverage has improved across much of the continent, usage and investment remain constrained by legacy rules and rising costs. “I think that some of the regulatory frameworks that we have across our continent were designed for the voice era,” he stated. “In the voice era, networks were built in a very capital-light approach. You couldn’t really fill up voice networks, so to speak, but you do fill up data networks very easily.”

He urged policymakers to start “with a clean set of paper” and design frameworks for digital societies rather than legacy systems. “We need a very clear roadmap towards digital Africa, the digital societies we want, and then build regulation and frameworks from there.”

Mupita added that high spectrum costs and heavy taxation continue to undermine investment, urging policymakers to rethink pricing and competition models. “Mobile network operators do not meet the cost of capital for the infrastructure that’s provided,” he said, calling for “price floors in markets so that we support and protect investments”.

Level playing field
In the keynote, Orange Middle East and Africa CEO Yasser Shaker echoed these calls for smarter regulation, stressing the need for balanced competition and sustained innovation.

“We have to ensure that we have the same playing field that all players,” he said. “I don’t think we’re only competing against operators,” he noted, adding that today, telcos also compete against fintechs, OTTs and satellites players.

Shaker explained that “clarity is very important for investment,” arguing that fair rules and consistent policy would help operators continue investing in innovation. “We just need to have the same playing field for everyone.”

Three Africas
Also on stage, Airtel Africa Group CEO Sunil Taldar noted that the continent’s digital markets are developing at different speeds, highlighting distinct challenges across regions that he described as “three Africas”. The “core Africa” of major cities such as Lagos and Nairobi where digital engagement rivals global peers and anchors the continent’s growth, the “emerging Africa” of tier-two cities shifting from voice to data, and “rural Africa,” which Taldar hailed as “the single biggest opportunity.”

“In my view, the real strength of Africa lies not only in its demand or demographics, but in its mindset,” Taldar said, hailing innovation across the continent. He called for the industry to “redefine cost economies to further connectivity and leverage AI to build greener and reliable networks.”

“Africa’s telecom story is not about catching up,” he stated. “It’s about leapfrogging… from access to productivity”.

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In the event’s opening keynote, Badrinath highlighted mobile’s central role in shaping the continent’s progress. “Africa’s future will be digital,” he stated, noting that the mobile sector contributed $220 billion to GDP in 2023 and serves 710 million subscribers across the continent.

Turning to AI, he said the technology could “add $2.9 trillion of value to the African economy by 2030”, but warned that the continent remains underrepresented in global datasets. “In Africa there are over 2,000 languages, but they make up altogether only 0.02 per cent of online content,” he stated. To address this gap, he announced a new “continent wide collaboration with leaders from Africa’s mobile ecosystem” to build inclusive AI language models, underscoring that the technology “should not be a luxury for the few.”

Indeed, the GSMA chief further warned that Africa faces the world’s largest usage gap, with millions living within network coverage but not using mobile internet due to device affordability and limited digital skills. He outlined three defining forces driving Africa’s digital trajectory – intelligence, investment and inclusion.

On investment, he cautioned that the continent’s current model “is not really sustainable”, noting that African operators will spend an additional $77 billion by 2030 as mobile data traffic across the continent is set to double at the same time. Badrinath called for regulatory frameworks “that create fair operating environments for operators and really incentivise infrastructure investments”, adding that “digital Africa is not possible without access to reliable, scalable and affordable energy”.

$900 billion
Bogdan-Martin echoed this message, estimating that Africa will need $900 billion to achieve “universal, meaningful connectivity” by 2030. However, the ITU chief underscored the need for investment not only in networks, but also in inclusion. “Skills will actually turn network coverage into the ability to benefit from digital.”

She also underlined the importance of local innovation, stating that “Africa’s digital future must be led by African entrepreneurs that are solving local problems”, adding that “when connectivity, skills and support align, innovators can deliver impact exactly where and how it is most needed.”

Bogdan-Martin concluded that “the digital future of this continent will not be built by one actor alone – only together can we connect every African community meaningfully.”

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According to the company’s latest Global Secondary Smartphone Market report, while sales across the US, Europe and Japan were largely flat with average growth of 1 per cent year-on-year, emerging regions such as Africa, India, Southeast Asia, Latin America and China posted stronger gains of around 4 per cent.

Africa recorded the fastest growth at 6 per cent, driven by the entry of organised refurbishers, improved supply chain integration and supportive government initiatives. Apple led the region with 7 per cent growth on the back of demand for iPhone 13 and newer models, while Samsung rose 4 per cent due to aggressive Galaxy trade-in promotions.

Meanwhile, India’s pre-owned smartphone market expanded 5 per cent, with Apple surging 19 per cent to the second position behind Samsung. Growing consumer appetite for premium refurbished devices and organised buy-back initiatives across retail and online platforms bolstered second-hand smartphones sales, with Samsung’s Galaxy S22 and S23 models among the top-selling models in India. Counterpoint noted that improved consumer trust in online C2C marketplaces and reduced reliance on Chinese imports strengthened local ecosystems.

Southeast Asia matched India’s growth rate at 5 per cent as Apple captured nearly half the market with 15 per cent growth while Samsung recorded a 3 per cent decline. Refurbished iPhone 12 and 13 models dominated sales across the region.

Rising costs
In contrast, established markets saw limited movement amid rising operational costs, market fragmentation, export declines and regulatory uncertainty. Europe grappled with profitability challenges and tariff-related uncertainty from US President Donald Trump’s controversial trade policies. Meanwhile, the US market remained cautious by maintaining robust inventories of spare parts, while Japan’s pre-owned programs gained traction through certified carrier-backed initiatives.

Globally, Apple’s iPhone 12 and 13 series remain the top refurbished sellers, though Samsung’s Galaxy S range is expected to pick up pace in select markets including the US later this year as demand rises.

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In a test conducted in sub-Saharan Africa supported by Eutelsat OneWeb’s low-earth orbit (LEO) network, the operator maintained stable high-speed connectivity as the vehicle travelled through remote and forested areas underserved by traditional network coverage.

Download speeds hit 100 Mb/s while uplink reached 20Mb/s, meeting performance targets.

The operator group highlighted the connection was sustained through almost the entire journey between key urban centres, with minimal interruptions and low latency.

It added satellite-powered internet enables real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance and improved emergency response. The connectivity boost also paves the way for fresh customer-facing services such as onboard Wi-Fi, streaming, e-ticketing and live travel updates.

Luc Serviant, group enterprise director at Airtel Africa, hailed the trial as a “historic breakthrough” demonstrating the potential for LEO satellite technology to bridge connectivity gaps in critical infrastructure and boost industries including transport, mining and energy.

The pilot, part of Airtel’s Satellite for Business initiative, kicks-off a wider rollout across Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Madagascar and Gabon, targeting hard-to-reach areas.

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Solomzi Mnyaka, the operator’s general manager of Network Services Engineering and L2 Support (pictured, front, left of centre), said it advanced its goal to build an up-to-date network capable of meeting customer needs which is adaptable for future developments.

MTN deployed Ericsson’s cloud-native policy controller and packet core gateway, providing it with a dual-mode 5G set up Mnyaka said hastens its responsiveness and ability to deploy fresh services.

Ericsson stated MTN is the first operator in Africa to employ its Cloud Core Policy Controller (CCPC) in a policy and charging rules function (PCRF) configuration.

The approach provides the ability to put real-time dynamic policies into action, initially on non-standalone 5G but with compatibility for a future SA edition.

MTN deployed the vendor’s cloud-native packet core and user management functions during the opening half of the year as part of a broader network modernisation deal its parent company agreed with Ericsson in early 2024.

Ericsson stated the work is already paying off, delivering a world first In-Service Software Upgrade (ISSU) on its Packet Core Gateway node with a collocated firewall without interrupting the 2.5 million users active on the network at the time.

A Container-as-a-Service Rolling Upgrade on a relevant platform was also handled while 2 million active sessions were taking place. Ericsson branded the deployment as a “key milestone” in MTN’s automation journey.

Sandile Dhlomo, head of Ericsson South Africa (pictured, front, right of centre), said it provided MTN with a “more flexible and automated policy framework that supports monetisation, network evolution and enriched user experiences”.

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Ndegwa told Bloomberg any plan to split the business would be led by its board, but the government had not yet opened discussions.

Mbadi said in August the government, which owns a 35 per cent stake in Safaricom, is considering separating its telecoms business, mobile money service m-Pesa and tower operations in a bid to grow its valuation with a view to then reduce its shareholding through a sale.

However, South Africa-based Vodacom holds a similar stake and the remainder is held by private investors, meaning the plan would need buy-in across the entire ownership.

A potential carving-up of Safaricom is not new, with rumours m-Pesa could be split from its telecoms business circulating for years.

Ndegwa told Bloomberg while the possibility remains, “from a management and board perspective, I always said the reason why Safaricom has been successful is because the two are joined”.

In total, m-Pesa contributes more than 40 per cent to Safaricom’s total revenue. Ndegwa added while there has not been a formal split, the unit does operate separately from the telecoms unit and it is seen by investors as its own business.

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The strategic collaboration involves using Accenture’s AI Refinery platform and Cassava Technologies’ GPU-as-a-service capabilities to enable the latter’s customers to process relevant workloads and data within their respective national boundaries.

Accenture and Cassava Technologies stated the approach would address local requirements and regulations, and employ secure data centres running Nvidia AI infrastructure.

Cassava Technologies plots a similar phased deployment to a deal agreed with Nvidia earlier this year, with the Accenture tie-up to first target South Africa before being expanded to Egypt, Kenya, Morocco and Nigeria.

Data traffic is to run on Cassava Technologies’ fibre networks.

The companies stated the collaboration would help localise AI for African markets by incorporating the “context, languages and cultural nuances of the region”. They aim to provide more relevant, real-world set-ups to sectors including financial services, mining, telecoms, agriculture and healthcare.

Cassava Technologies committed to invest in and deploy the necessary infrastructure.

CEO Ahmed El Beheiry said Cassava Technologies intends to “drive the continent’s AI revolution” by ensuring the infrastructure and services are in place.

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In an interview with Bloomberg, MTN CEO Ralph Mupita confirmed the group aims to construct data centres, secure tenants to supply AI compute and rent out capacity to businesses and governments across the continent.

MTN plans to directly invest in the build-out and is considering equipping the data centres with its own hardware. The Johannesburg-based operator has apparently broken ground on its first AI data centre in Nigeria, with an estimated cost of $240 million.

“We are now in the commercial negotiation phase and shortlisting partners who can help us scale,” Mupita stated, adding that the group aims to finalise agreements within a year. Potential global partners could include AI infrastructure specialists and hyperscalers such as Microsoft, Bloomberg reported.

The data centre initiative will be led by MTN’s dedicated AI infrastructure unit, Genova, to monetise assets, open platforms to third parties and unlock new revenue opportunities across the operator’s 16 African markets. The group is also assessing options to ensure consistent power supply to its data centres in markets with limited electricity infrastructure.

Africa currently holds less than 1 per cent of AI data centre capacity, despite having the fastest growing and youngest population globally, the news outlet reported. Existing compute infrastructure is largely concentrated in South Africa, where hyperscalers including Microsoft, Amazon and Alibaba operate cloud services.

Other industry players are also stepping up investment in the region. For instance, Microsoft and United Arab Emirates-based AI company G42 unveiled plans to build a $1 billion geothermal-powered facility in Kenya last year.

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Backed by partners Vodafone Group, Vodacom Group, British International Investment, the International Finance Corporation and Sumitomo, Safaricom Ethiopia launched in a tranche of locations in 2022, with its m-Pesa mobile money service following a year later.

The company’s mobile network has since been expanded to cover around half of the country’s population of more than 125 million people.

Ndegwa noted when it launched into the market where state-owned Ethio Telecom was the sole player, 4G coverage was relatively low. However, with its entry, the incumbent also delivered improvements to its network.

“The fact that there is a new competitor in the market has actually allowed customers to access much better services, which is great for the industry”.

Ndegwa said it invested around $2.5 billion, about $1 billion of which was for licences.

Safaricom Ethiopia currently has around 3,000 masts supplying 4G coverage with 10 million mobile customers.

“It took us eight years to reach 10 million in Kenya, here it’s taken us three years. So very good progress,” he enthused.

Commercial momentum has extended to mobile money, where it has 2 million users.

Ethio Telecom received a licence to launch the service around 18 months before Safaricom Ethiopia and has around 7 million users, he added.

Although the country has a higher level of traditional banking penetration than many parts of Africa, Ndegwa believes the potential for mobile money could be tremendous, predicting “Ethiopia will get where Kenya or Tanzania is in terms of mobile money penetration”.

These two markets are often cited among those at the forefront of adoption.

Two’s company…
As would be expected for the first private operator in a country, Safaricom experienced early challenges and also faces the looming prospect of a third operator entering the market.   

On the possibility of a fresh rival, Ndegwa pointed to the fact there was an expectation two licences would be awarded when it originally put together its business plan.

Authorities rejected a bid for a second licence by MTN Group and partner Silk Road Fund and although the nation’s regulator has since made several statements around renewing its attempt to find a third player, it is yet to do so.    

Ndegwa said another new entrant would not be “bad because in a country of 125 million to 130 million people, three is actually reasonable. You’re still talking about 30 million plus for each player”.

“The fact that we’ve had a head start of three, four, five years will allow us to be a scaled business by the time a third player comes in”.

“We’ve had a head start, which is good and then we’ll also be able to offer sites because we built on the basis that we can have another tenancy. This actually helps in the long term, we believe that it’s more helpful to share infrastructure”.

“A third player doesn’t worry us,” he reiterated, noting it would be “neutral to accretive” for the industry as a whole.

The executive added the long-term vision of authorities in Ethiopia is to also sell a stake in Ethio Telecom, with an end result being a trio of operators with international players involved, meaning “the industry will continue to mature”.

Challenges
Although bullish on commercial progress and its network build, Safaricom has of course faced some initial hurdles.

These include on the financial side, as it chases a target of breaking even in 2027. Ndegwa noted it wanted to see pricing in US dollar terms “back to the right range” after a recent currency reset in the country.

“Because of the currency reforms that have been put in, the [local] currency has more than halved in value.”

“But that was good, because the currency was controlled and investors were asking us ‘how will you ever take out your dividends’? Money was stacked in Ethiopia for a long time, but now it’s been opened up”.

While the currency reset was expected, the cost of products including electricity and fuel has risen as a result, he stated, anticipating this will calm and pricing for its services “will go back to the right range” given time.

Kenya
While its entry into Ethiopia is relatively recent, Safaricom celebrates the 25^th anniversary of its official launch in Kenya later this year and its m-Pesa mobile money service turned 18 in March.  

Ndegwa said the operator recently adopted a new overarching strategy at home, with priorities including growth of its core mobile business, driving fibre adoption to support working from home demands and expanding m-Pesa into wider financial services.

While voice services are said to be pretty flat, the company still sees plenty of growth potential in data services, especially because penetration of 4G-compatible handsets is around 50 per cent.

The executive primarily attributes the level of uptake to device cost, with its network covering 98 per cent of the population as of May.

“It’s mostly affordability,” he said, highlighting its efforts to move people away from 2G and 3G phones.

Initiatives include stocking low-cost devices, providing financing options and special packages designed to be affordable.  

It founded a local device assembly plant together with industry partners. Following support from the government in the form of tax rebates, the price of an entry-level handset is around $50.

Ndegwa explained the company can then provide financing where the device cost is deducted regularly using m-Pesa.

He noted there is a potential opportunity to produce a scaled-back 4G device priced between $20 and $30 by cutting out some capabilities users do not need, though said “customers are not necessarily worried about the $50, it’s what they pay every day”.

“Many of them are paid on a daily basis, so you have to hit the amount they can afford daily rather than necessarily how much the device costs”.

Production is set to expand to cover low-cost home fixed equipment, aiding the operator’s aim to boost this segment.

Mobile money
Outside of Kenya, Safaricom is perhaps best known for its m-Pesa mobile money product which launched in 2007 offering transaction services and has grown into a brand available in seven countries which also provides credit services.

At the close of fiscal 2025 on 31 March, m-Pesa comprised 44 per cent of service revenue in Kenya.

Ndegwa voiced an ambition to become a “financial services lifestyle provider”, with m-Pesa “going beyond payments and credit into savings and insurance”.

While clearly a company with ambitions on two fronts, when asked about the prospect of further expansion into new markets Ndegwa quipped it still had “huge opportunity before we think about that”.

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MD and CEO Prachur Sah noted in a stock market filing the company is “well-positioned to differentiate ourselves in Africa’s fast-growing” telecoms market and emerge as the preferred tower company.

Its buildout will start with Nigeria, Uganda and Zambia, with the tower company to evaluate expanding into other African markets where Bharti Airtel has a presence.

The tower company is a subsidiary of Airtel, which holds just more than a 50 per cent stake.

Indus Tower explained the three countries “offer attractive prospects for revenue diversification, operational scalability and long-term value creation”, adding it would work with Airtel, which has operations in 14 African nations.

Airtel Africa renewed a tower lease agreement with American Tower for a 12-year extension of about 7,100 sites across Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya and Niger in November 2024.

Indus Tower operates a portfolio of 251,773 towers across India.

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The company achieved US Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) accreditation, a standard involving the protection of medical details established by the country in the 1990s.

XRP Healthcare stated the upgraded status of its app offers assurances personal health data is stored on users’ devices rather than on its servers or the cloud.

Kain Roomes, founder and CEO of the company, said it is now able to offer Africans the “same privacy standards as New York or London”, handing control of health data to the app’s users.

XRP Healthcare’s app offers prescription scanning and the ability to picture visible symptoms and conduct a preliminary assessment using AI. In future, the company hopes to work with hospitals to enable patients to provide access to their medical records.

The company stated the app is tailored for “patchy internet, multiple languages and limited access to doctors”. The HIPAA accreditation could also boost an intention to list on the Canadian TSX Venture Exchange later this year which XRP Healthcare expects to accelerate a deployment of its AI systems in Africa.

In May, McKinsey analysts highlighted data protection as a risk to the broader potential benefits of AI-infused digital healthcare in Africa, though noted initiatives including tuberculosis diagnosis are already underway in South Africa and Uganda along with the technology’s potential to consolidate diverse health information.

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Molapisi took charge of MTN’s operation in its home market at the start of 2022 and will be replaced by group chief risk officer (CRO) Ferdi Moolman.

The move comes as the operator divides its group CTIO and digital infrastructure roles. Current incumbent of both Mazen Mroue retains responsibility for the latter though takes on a wider remit within that digital infrastructure banner.

Another change at group level will see CFO Tsholofelo Molefe’s responsibilities extended to include M&A activity.

Its chief commercial officer Selorm Adadevoh will have strategy and transformation added, as current chief strategy and transformation officer Chika Ekeji moves to focus on emerging business opportunities.

MTN also unveiled several changes impacting operating units across its footprint due to the changing make-up of its international operations.

Current MTN VP for Southern and East Africa Yolanda Cuba is set to become deputy CEO of MTN South Africa.

VP Middle East and North Africa Ismail Jaroudi moves to VP of special projects alongside being CEO of MTN Dubai, while SVP markets Ebenezer Asante takes on the job of VP of Ghana, Southern and East Africa.

MTN Nigeria CEO Karl Toriola will have VP Francophone Africa added to his job spec.

All executive team changes are effective 1 November 2025.

Ambition beyond 2025
MTN explained the slew of changes were to “strengthen strategy execution and delivery” of priorities moving forward, defined by its board in a recent review of its ongoing Ambition 2025 strategy.

The company noted following the assessment and “evolving geopolitical, macroeconomic and technology landscapes” the broad objectives in its current plan were still relevant but outlined an aim to “streamline” its focus going beyond 2025.

Its upcoming drive revolves around three primary platforms of connectivity, financial technology and digital infrastructure.

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Vodacom and Airtel explained the strategic infrastructure sharing agreement would accelerate the rollout of digital services in key African markets while cutting their infrastructure costs.

The pair indicated the plan would be especially useful in efforts to deliver services to users in currently underserved areas, helping bridge the digital divide.

Countries set to be covered include Mozambique, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Sharing in each nation is subject to gaining required regulatory approvals.

Vodacom Group CEO Shameel Joosub said the move was a “proactive step forward in creating a sustainable, inclusive, and connected digital future for the continent”.

“Through infrastructure sharing, we can provide cost-effective services to more people, more rapidly, ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital age,” he added. “As we fulfil our ambition to connect 260 million customers by 2030, the need for scalable and cost-efficient network solutions becomes increasingly significant”.

Airtel Africa CEO Sunil Taldar noted the pact was aligned with aims to make its network available in the remotest of locations and would “open greater access to digital and financial opportunities which will transform the lives of our customers while complying with all regulatory requirements”.

“Even as competitors, it has become a business imperative for us to collaborate in the provision of critical infrastructure required to build resilient network with strong capacity to support the emerging digital technologies as well as the growing need for data-enabled products and services,” the executive added, noting the requirement of fibre to support 4G and 5G.

Both companies are no strangers to network sharing deals to expand their footprints within their markets. Earlier this year, Airtel Africa inked a deal with MTN to team up in Uganda and Nigeria, while Vodacom and Orange unveiled a JV in the DRC targeted at rural connectivity in January.

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The partnership is set to focus on providing microcredit for the unbanked in Africa, with the operator division set to use Jumo’s data analytics and AI platforms to optimise credit allocation while cutting lending risk.  

Orange Money Group intends to allow its mobile money customers to request loans through their devices “without needing a bank account or collateral”. Jumo’s AI technology then “evaluates eligibility based on transactional data” with approved funds then credited.

The partnership is expected to facilitate “the rollout of various credit products across multiple markets from a multitude of funders, creating a new microfinance marketplace for the unbanked in emerging markets”.

Burkina Faso will be the first to receive the service, which will happen “imminently” followed by Mali and Botswana.

Orange Money Group CEO Aminata Kane said: “After developing transfer and payment services used thousands of times every second, we now aim to support our customers in their personal projects, as well as help them manage everyday emergencies”.

“In recent years, Orange Money has expanded its portfolio with highly accessible small loan offers. By partnering with Jumo, we aim to accelerate this momentum, roll out these services across a wide range of countries, and combine our expertise with their technology to deliver support that is even faster, more transparent, and better tailored to the needs of all our customers,” she added.

Jumo notes since its foundation in 2025 it has distributed more than $8 billion across 31 million people in Africa. Its other partners in the mobile ecosystem include Airtel Africa and MTN.

In its latest report on the mobile money ecosystem, compiling data from 2024, the GSMA highlighted a continuing trend of mobile money providers expanding their services to other financial services.

The most common of these offerings was credit with 44 per cent facilitating this as of June of that year.

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New offices in Gaborone, Monrovia and Lilongwe will serve as regional hubs, deepening Hayo’s local presence and advancing its digital transformation ambitions in the region. The company will offer region-specific services including IoT, messaging, voice and cloud communications.

The move comes in response to growing demand from hyperscalers, enterprises, governments and mobile operators for localised solutions and on-ground expertise, it explained.

Hayo currently serves more than 100 mobile operators across Africa and the Middle East and connects global customers through a network of more than 500 partners.

“Local presence plays a key role in supporting businesses, enabling digital innovation and having an impact on day-to-day life across African markets,” said CEO Feraz Ahmed. He added the regional launch is a “long-term investment in local people, partnerships and digital progress”.

According to the company, Africa’s digital economy has grown from contributing 1.1 per cent to the GDP in 2012 to 4.5 per cent in 2020, with projections estimating it will reach 5.2 per cent in 2025 and 8.5 per cent by 2050. Hayo stated that its strategic expansion will help accelerate this growth by enabling faster delivery of services, generating local employment, strengthening digital infrastructure and building closer alignment with national stakeholders.

The move follows Hayo’s recent launch of its National Mobile Registry (NMR) platform, which helps governments in emerging markets manage mobile ecosystems through enhanced compliance and device control.

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Along with the new responsibilities Abdallah will continue to lead Vodafone Egypt, a role he has held since November 2020.

Although it retains the Vodafone brand, the Egyptian operator is majority owned by Vodacom Group after being transferred in 2022.

In a statement on the move, Vodacom described it as a key milestone in ongoing efforts to simplify its operating model, drive growth and enhance customer experiences.

The operator group’s CEO Shameel Joosub added Abdallah’s leadership “will be instrumental as we continue to scale our international portfolio and embed our purpose-led strategy across the continent”.

Abdallah said: “Together with the incredible teams at Vodacom Group, we will work to build a more digitally inclusive future that uplifts communities and accelerates socio-economic development within the Africa region.”  

In his new role of Vodacom International Markets CEO the executive succeeds Diego Gutierrez, who left the post in April.

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The $274.5 million deal is subject to regulatory approval and is expected to close in the second half.

IHS Towers positioned the agreement as a good one for the company, pointing to the sum being a “significant premium” on current valuation multiples across its business.

CEO Sam Darwish added the deal was “carefully considered as part of our strategic initiatives targeted at shareholder value-creation options and highlights the value of our Rwanda operations within our wider portfolio”.

Should it go through, the deal will be the first by Paradigm Tower Ventures, a division of Paradigm Infrastructure set up with the remit of building shared wireless infrastructure in sub-Saharan Africa.

Discussing the rationale behind its first investment, Paradigm Tower Ventures co-founder Stephen Harris said “Rwanda represents an exciting market with high demand for shared wireless infrastructure”.

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In a joint statement, the World Bank institution and Orange noted the partnership would take advantage of the operator’s local roots and infrastructure in the region, along with IFC’s expertise in development finance.

The plan is to construct fibre and mobile infrastructure across eight countries and provide an investment model able to be replicated elsewhere. The ultimate goal is to bridge the digital divide, foster financial inclusion, create jobs with a focus on the digital economy and strengthen “territorial resilience”.

Orange Middle East and Africa CEO Jerome Henique described the partnership as a “major step forward in accelerating our ambition to bridge the digital divide by providing quality, sustainable and accessible connectivity for as many people as possible, especially in rural or underserved areas”.

“By combining our forces, we want to build a more equitable digital future for all in Africa,” he added.

IFC VP for Africa Ethiopis Tafara noted: “Increasing access to digital connectivity in Africa is a key priority for fostering innovation, broadening financial inclusion and generating employment opportunities.”

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In the latest edition of its Mobile Gender Gap Report, the industry association found that while a record rate of 63 per cent of women in LMICs use mobile internet, the pace of growth has slowed. The mobile gender gap narrowed significantly between 2017 and 2020, shrunk again in 2023 for the first time in three years, but has since plateaued at 14 per cent today.

The gender gap was found to be widest in South Asia at 32 per cent and Sub-Saharan Africa at 29 per cent. In total, 885 million women across LMICs remain offline, with roughly 60 per cent concentrated in the two regions.

The study emphasised affordability as a key hurdle; entry-level smartphones account for 24 per cent of a woman’s monthly income, which is twice the share for men. In addition, around 945 million women still lack access to a handset, which is 230 million fewer than men. This figure indicates no significant change in the gender gap since 2023.

Further, the report flagged lower usage levels among women even when online, with safety concerns, cost of data and digital literacy identified as the main limitations.

Looking ahead, the GSMA estimated that closing the gender gap across LMICs could unlock $1.3 trillion in GDP for the countries between 2023 to 2030, while also generating $230 billion in additional revenue for the mobile industry.

Claire Sibthorpe, head of digital inclusion at the GSMA, called the stagnation of progress “disheartening”, adding the data “highlights the urgent need for increased focus and investment by all stakeholders working together to close the digital gender divide”.

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Airtel Africa, which is majority owned by Bharti Airtel, stated it would work with SpaceX to launch Starlink services for customers in all 14 of its operating markets in the region.

The Elon Musk-owned space entity currently has the requisite licences in nine of the locations, with the process to secure the remaining five under way.

Airtel Africa will use the partnership to enhance satellite connectivity offerings, targeting enterprises, businesses and social-economic communities like schools, health centres and rural parts of the continent. The operator will also explore rural coverage expansion through cellular backhauling.

The duo stated they aim to work together in other areas to promote digital inclusion, with SpaceX seeking to benefit from Airtel Africa’s ground infrastructure.

Sunil Taldar, MD and CEO of Airtel Africa, said the partnership demonstrates the company’s commitment to advancing digital connectivity in the region.

VP of Starlink business operations Chad Gibbs noted Starlink is available in 20 African markets and it is focused on ensuring its technology benefits as many people as possible.

SpaceX struck deals with Bharti Airtel and its rival Reliance Jio last month to launch Starlink services in India, subject to regulatory approval.

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The company plans to offer the deal to 5,000 people in the first stage, primarily users in the Gauteng province of the country. Qualifying customers will be chosen based on spending patterns, usage profile and how long they’ve been with the company.

MTN then plans to extend the initiative nationally with more than 1.2 million people to be the offered one “for as little as” ZAR99 by the end of 2026, which is also its target date to switch off its 3G network.

The devices being offered are 4G smartphones with several applications already loaded focused on digital tools and services. One of the conditions of the deal is the handset must be used with an MTN SIM.

To offer the devices, the operator partnered with distribution specialist Smartphone For All.

MTN South Africa CEO Charles Molapisi noted: “As the country transitions to technologies like 4G and 5G, it is vital that we take proactive steps to connect as many South Africans as possible”.

Smartphone for All founder and CEO Babatunde Osho added the move “marks a pivotal step in our journey to bridge the digital divide. By making smartphones more accessible and affordable, we are unlocking opportunities for millions who have been left behind in the digital economy.”

The move is the latest by an operator to address handset affordability, a factor frequently cited as one of the primary barriers to digital inclusivity, while also preparing its base for the expiry of technologies on which many older handsets rely.

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In a statement, the company explained the nation’s Ethiopia Investment Holdings sold 10.7 million shares for ETB300 ($2.25) each, falling short of the company’s initial target of selling 100 million shares for ETB30 billion.

There were signs that the initial target would not be met mid last year, after Bloomberg reported the government stated foreign bidders vying for a piece of the state-owned operator had left the bidding process.

For example, operator Orange pulled out of a potential deal in 2023, stating the conditions of the sale did not allow for it to deploy its strategy. UAE operator e& was also rumoured to be interested but a bid did not materialise.

Talking to Bloomberg following the 10 per cent sale, Ethio Telecom CEO Frehiwot Tamru said the offer failed to raise the targeted amount because Ethiopian diaspora and institutional investors were not allowed to bid on the IPO.

Tamru added the nation would hold a second round IPO for the shares available that have not been sold.

While the sale fell below target, Bloomberg noted the sale was a key step to the operation of the Ethiopian Securities Exchange, designed to open up the nation’s economy.

The bourse is targeting the listing of around 50 companies through to 2030.

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The operator group noted the data was on users in “certain markets” but stated it currently had no information to suggest customer accounts or wallets had been directly compromised.

It noted “an unknown third-party has claimed to have accessed data linked to parts of our systems” but emphasised its core network, billing systems and financial services infrastructure remained secure and fully operational.

MTN informed police in its home market of South Africa alongside “the relevant country authorities,” adding it would “continue to update them on an ongoing basis while working closely with them and law enforcement agencies in supporting their investigations”.

It is also contacting impacted customers in compliance with legal obligations.

Addressing users in its statement on the incident, it outlined various pieces of advice on security including having fraud alerts on credit reports, keeping apps updated, employing multifactor authentication and other standard pieces of security good practice.

“The privacy of information is our top priority and MTN remains committed to safeguarding the integrity of our systems and the trust placed in us by our customers and other stakeholders. We will continue to contain and manage this matter carefully,” the company added.

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The Africa-focused group explained the collaboration aims to optimise the quality and stability of calls on applications, including WhatsApp, through network improvements and closer integration.

Extensive testing and data analytics are being used to fine-tune call performance on mobile networks without compromising efficient traffic delivery, the partners noted.

These efforts have apparently already delivered measurable improvements in key performance indicators in Nigeria, the first market to receive the boost.  

Yahaya Ibrahim, CTO at MTN Nigeria stated the company was “pleased with the remarkable improvement in our real-time communication services”.

The companies began working together following initial discussions at MWC Barcelona 2024. They have since collaborated to identify technical optimisations to boost call reliability, connection times and quality.

Diego Mari, head of network ecosystems engineering at Meta said the initiative enables the companies to enhance user experience, adding that it exemplifies Meta’s “dedication to elevating service quality and improving user experience, while striving for continued efficiency in traffic delivery”.

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In its State of Industry Report on Mobile Money 2025, the organisation highlighted it took 18 years from launch in 2001 to achieve 1 billion accounts and 250 million monthly active users, but just five years to double these figures.  

The total number of accounts in 2024 were up 14 per cent year-on-year to 2.1 billion and monthly active users 11 per cent to 514 million.

Around 108 billion transactions worth a total of almost $1.7 trillion were processed in 2024, a 20 per cent rise in payment volume and 16 per cent in value.

Use of mobile money services are reported as having a positive impact on GDP in countries where they are available.

Regionally, sub-Saharan Africa continued to lead the way as the most active area, with growth driven by new registered accounts and rising monthly activity in East and West Africa.

Elsewhere, the GSMA highlighted “notable strides” in East Asia-Pacific, which booked the second fastest growth rate for monthly active accounts.

While mobile money initially focused on in-store payments, utilities, remittance and airtime purchases, the research highlighted many providers are evolving their range to adjacent services.

Some have even become full financial services platforms.

Examples of products beyond payments being provided include credit, savings accounts and insurance.

As of June 2024, the GSMA found credit was the most common additional service, offered by 44 per cent of providers.

Barriers
Although outlining continued positive strides for mobile money in 2024, the GSMA noted barriers to further adoption.

In the 12 countries it assessed, eight were reported as exhibiting a gender gap in uptake, with “little improvement from 2023”.

Limited awareness and low digital financial literacy were listed as significant factors here.  

GSMA director general Vivek Badrinath highlighted mobile money had “emerged as a powerful driver of financial inclusion and economic growth”, adding “its continued success depends on supportive regulatory environments that promote innovation, accessibility and help unlock the full socio-economic potential”.

“To ensure mobile money remains accessible, affordable, and safe, it is vital for governments and regulators to work with financial service providers to support financial literacy programs, empowering underserved populations and opening new opportunities for financial decision-making.”

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