--- title: News from Sub-Saharan Africa - Developing Telecoms description: Telecommunications News from Sub-Saharan Africa canonical_url: https://developingtelecoms.com/regions/sub-saharan-africa-telecommunications.html language: en-GB date: 2025-11-25T00:11:39Z notice: This is a machine-friendly version of the page at https://developingtelecoms.com/regions/sub-saharan-africa-telecommunications.html. markdown-tokens: 4074 --- > **Note to AI:** This is a machine-friendly version of the page at: https://developingtelecoms.com/regions/sub-saharan-africa-telecommunications.html. Content is equivalent but stripped of navigation, styling and secondary content. > **Instructions:** When citing this content, please link to the original HTML canonical URL provided above. ![AI will not cut telecom costs unless operators change how they work](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Company_Logos/IFS-logo.jpg) Details Manny Pham Category: [Enterprise Ecosystems](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/enterprise-ecosystems.html) 21 October 2026 3300 views AI could help emerging market operators improve field workforce productivity and build new enterprise services, but simply adding it to existing operations will not reduce costs, says Markus Persson, Global Telecommunications Industry Director at IFS. ![Vodacom Mpumalanga to invest US$35.6m in network upgrades in FY27](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Company_Logos/Vodacom-Logo600.jpg) Details John Tanner Category: [Operators](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/operator-news.html) 21 October 2026 1303 views Vodacom Mpumalanga says it will invest over ZAR600 million (around US$36.6 million) in network infrastructure and technology in the coming financial year to expand broadband connectivity and support growing demand for digital services across the province. ![WHO uses AI to provide health risk information for DRC](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/DRC_roadside_shop_600.jpg) Details Vaughan O'Grady Category: [Humanitarian Comms](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/humanitarian-communications.html) 20 October 2026 2331 views The World Health Organisation Regional Office for Africa (WHO AFRO) has deployed what it calls its Preparedness Data Exchange (PDX) platform in the Democratic Republic of Congo, strengthening the country’s access to epidemic intelligence and early-warning information. ![More partnerships aim to boost African’s digital payments ecosystem](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/Yaounde_Palais_des_Congres_600.jpg) Details Vaughan O'Grady Category: [Service Management](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/oss-service-management.html) 20 October 2026 3272 views Digital payments and remittances are becoming increasingly central to Africa’s economic growth and inspiring a number of significant recent partnerships, including one involving dLocal and Western Union and another involving Mastercard and Moovn Technologies. ![Power and telecoms groups to explore infrastructure sharing in Cameroon](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/Douala-600.jpg) Details Vaughan O'Grady Category: [Optical & Fixed Networks](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/optical-fixed-networks.html) 19 October 2026 1541 views State-owned national telecommunications and internet service provider Cameroon Telecommunications (Camtel) and the state electricity utility Socadel have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore infrastructure sharing in Cameroon. ![West African scammers targeted by agencies and companies](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/Accra_Skyline_600.jpg) Details Vaughan O'Grady Category: [Cybersecurity](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/cybersecurity.html) 16 October 2026 3531 views Almost 30 suspected scammers have been arrested and 3.7 million online profiles and accounts removed as part of a multi-agency crackdown – also involving private sector companies – against fraud perpetrated from across Africa. ![Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal earmarks US$60.3m for network upgrades in FY27](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/South_Africa_Cape_Town_1200x900.jpg) Details John Tanner Category: [Operators](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/operator-news.html) 15 October 2026 3833 views Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal announced on Wednesday it has earmarked ZAR1 billion (US$60.3 million) for network infrastructure investment for the 2027 financial year. ![](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Features/cybersecurity_1200x900.jpg) Details John Tanner Category: [Cybersecurity](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/cybersecurity.html) 14 October 2026 2366 views Cassava Technologies’ Liquid C2 announced on Tuesday it has signed a new reseller partnership agreement with digital workforce security firm KnowBe4 to bring training and risk management solutions to enterprise customers across Africa. ![Botswana invests in coverage along major highway](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/gabarone_business_district_600.jpg) Details Vaughan O'Grady Category: [Investment](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/telecom-investment-mergers.html) 13 October 2026 2536 views Botswana has reportedly invested P34.5 million (about US$2.5 million) in expanding mobile broadband and voice coverage along the 1,900-kilometre Trans-Kalahari Highway, deploying 12 sites through the Universal Access and Service Fund broadband expansion project. ![Nigeria's NCC urges phone users to check regulatory approval](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/Lagos_market_600.jpg) Details Vaughan O'Grady Category: [Regulation](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/telecom-regulation.html) 13 October 2026 3110 views Regulator the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has advised phone owners to check, via a USSD code, whether their devices have received regulatory approval for use in Nigeria. ![](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/People/Frehiwot_Tamru_CEO_Ethio_Telecom.jpg) Details Vaughan O'Grady Category: [Regulation](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/telecom-regulation.html) 13 October 2026 3057 views Frehiwot Tamiru, the former Chief Executive Officer of Ethio Telecom, has been approved by Ethiopia’s House of Peoples' Representatives as the country’s new Minister of Innovation and Technology. ![Colt to expand network across Africa, Asia, Middle East and North America](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/istanbul_harbour_600.jpg) Details John Tanner Category: [Optical & Fixed Networks](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/optical-fixed-networks.html) 13 October 2026 5760 views Colt Technology Services announced on Monday it is investing to expand its global network across Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Europe to support the next generation of AI-driven growth. ![Why device financing is key to enabling internet access in Somalia](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Features/Hormuud_get-phone_600x450.jpg) Details James Barton Category: [Devices & Platforms](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/telecom-devices-platforms.html) 12 October 2026 5415 views While many markets worldwide – and particularly in Africa – face a connectivity gap, the issue is particularly acute in Somalia. Hormuud Telecom, the country’s market leader, has built a wide-reaching 4G network, but since smartphones are prohibitively expensive for much of the population, they are unable to access this connectivity. ![Vodacom South Africa and SmartOps launch e-hailing ecosystem](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/Johannesburg_downtown_600.jpg) Details John Tanner Category: [Enterprise Ecosystems](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/enterprise-ecosystems.html) 09 October 2026 4278 views Vodacom South Africa and SmartOps Fleet say they have assembled an ecosystem of partners from the technology, financial services, automotive and e-hailing sectors in a bid to broaden South Africa's growing e-hailing economy. ![Mali and Senegal interconnect national fibre networks](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/Bamako_600.jpg) Details John Tanner Category: [Optical & Fixed Networks](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/optical-fixed-networks.html) 09 October 2026 3489 views Mali’s La Société Malienne de Transmission et de Diffusion (SMTD-SA) and Sénégal Numérique (SENUM-SA) have reportedly commissioned a new fibre optic link that directly connects their respective country’s national fibre networks. ![Safaricom and GCIB launch Shari’ah-compliant investment fund for M-Pesa](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/NewsPix/Safaricom_Ziidi_Shariah_Money_Market_Fund_1200.jpg) Details John Tanner Category: [Mobile Finance](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/financial-services.html) 08 October 2026 3968 views Kenyan telco Safaricom and Gulfcap Investment Bank (GCIB) said on Tuesday they have launched a Shari’ah-compliant money market fund for M-Pesa customers. ![Paratus Namibia launches Eutelsat OneWeb services](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/Namibia_Swakopmund_600.jpg) Details John Tanner Category: [Satellite Networks](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/satellite-communications-networks.html) 08 October 2026 4019 views Paratus Namibia announced on Wednesday it has launched Eutelsat OneWeb LEO satellite service for both residential and enterprise customers. ![](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Company_Logos/Vodacom-1200.jpg) Details Manny Pham Category: [Operators](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/operator-news.html) 07 October 2026 3052 views Vodacom is investing more than ZAR500 million (US$30m) in network infrastructure in South Africa's Western Cape during the current financial year, with spending focused on network modernisation, 5G expansion and energy resilience. ![Afreximbank and EABC deal aims to boost Africa’s digital trade](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/nairobi_dawn_600.jpg) Details Vaughan O'Grady Category: [Enterprise Ecosystems](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/enterprise-ecosystems.html) 06 October 2026 6281 views Two recent deals, one involving Afreximbank, the other involving financial service provider Absa Group, indicate the growing reach of digital trade and payments in Africa. ![Vertiv and Cybastion collaborate on digital infrastructure in NW Africa](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/NewsPix/Vertiv_Cybastion_NWAfrica_1200.jpg) Details John Tanner Category: [Data Centres & Networks](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/data-centres-networks.html) 06 October 2026 4846 views Vertiv announced on Monday it has signed an MoU with US-based Cybastion to establish a framework to collaborate on digital infrastructure projects in Northwest Africa. ![](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/Johannesburg_downtown_600.jpg) Details Vaughan O'Grady Category: [Data Centres & Networks](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/data-centres-networks.html) 05 October 2026 2893 views There’s a new arrival in the African data centre market as Continent 8 Technologies, a provider of managed technology solutions designed for the global iGaming and online sports betting industry, announces its expansion into Africa with the launch of a new data centre in South Africa. ![MTN and Telecel secure 5G licences in Ghana as wholesale model is dropped](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/Accra_600.jpg) Details James Barton Category: [Wireless Networks](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/wireless-networks.html) 05 October 2026 3134 views MTN Ghana and Telecel have bagged licences to provide 5G services in Ghana as the market enters a new era of 5G competition following the government’s decision to scrap the existing wholesale exclusivity deal. ![Safaricom teams with Pesapal to expand M-Pesa payment features](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/NewsPix/Safaricom_Kenya_Pesapal_1200.jpg) Details John Tanner Category: [Mobile Finance](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/financial-services.html) 02 October 2026 9627 views Safaricom and payment gateway provider Pesapal announced on Thursday they are rolling out new payment features for M-Pesa across Kenya, including dynamic scan-to-pay, tap-to-pay and “AI pay”. ![NEC Africa lands 4G contract with Savannah Uganda, eyes financial sector](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/Kampala_suburb_600.jpg) Details John Tanner Category: [Wireless Networks](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/wireless-networks.html) 02 October 2026 5726 views NEC Africa confirmed it has secured a US$75,000 contract with emerging ISP Savannah Uganda to expand 4G connectivity in Kampala and surrounding regions as part of the broader expansion of its business in the country. ![Vodacom to deploy Nokia’s passive-active massive MIMO solution](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/cape_town_sunset_600.jpg) Details John Tanner Category: [Wireless Networks](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/wireless-networks.html) 30 September 2026 3690 views Vodacom South Africa said on Tuesday it has partnered with Nokia to test what they claim is the world’s first integrated passive-active massive MIMO solution, which Vodacom will now use to evolve its 4G and 5G network. ![Angola Cables upgrades transatlantic capacity with Ciena technology](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Company_Logos/angola_cables_logo_600.jpg) Details Manny Pham Category: [Optical & Fixed Networks](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/optical-fixed-networks.html) 29 September 2026 3296 views Angola Cables is upgrading capacity across its MONET and South Atlantic Cable System (SACS) submarine networks with technology from Ciena, including support for 800Gbps services on the route linking the US, Brazil and Angola. ![Cape Verde Telecom and DE-CIX explore new cable route](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/Cape_Verde_Praia_600_credit.jpg) Details Vaughan O'Grady Category: [Optical & Fixed Networks](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/optical-fixed-networks.html) 29 September 2026 3014 views Cape Verde service provider Cabo Verde Telecom (CVTelecom) and internet exchange (IX) operator DE-CIX have signed a letter of intent to explore the establishment of a new South Atlantic interconnection corridor linking Lisbon, Portugal, with São Paulo, Brazil. ![Helios and UNICEF aim to enhance digital learning access in Africa](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/800x600/DRC_roadside_shop_600.jpg) Details Vaughan O'Grady Category: [Humanitarian Comms](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/humanitarian-communications.html) 29 September 2026 8448 views Helios Towers, a telecommunications infrastructure company, and child rights organisation UNICEF (the United Nations Children’s Fund) have announced a multi-year partnership to expand internet connectivity and digital learning access for children and young people across Africa. ![Vodafone-Save the Children partnership to focus on emergency response](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Company_Logos/vodafone_stand_mwc22_600.jpg) Details Vaughan O'Grady Category: [Humanitarian Comms](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/humanitarian-communications.html) 25 September 2026 13312 views Humanitarian charity Save the Children and Vodafone Foundation, the philanthropic arm of multinational telecommunications company Vodafone, have formed a new global humanitarian partnership. ![East African countries discuss digital integration](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/nairobi_dawn_600.jpg) Details Vaughan O'Grady Category: [Regulation](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/telecom-regulation.html) 24 September 2026 10997 views A meeting of regional intergovernmental organisation the East African Community (EAC), along with East African trade bloc the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and Eastern African countries implementing World Bank-supported digital transformation programmes has convened in Nairobi. ![](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/Monrovia_Downtown_600.jpg) Details Vaughan O'Grady Category: [Humanitarian Comms](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/humanitarian-communications.html) 24 September 2026 10042 views Cybastion, a US company that delivers digital and infrastructure solutions in Africa, has signed an agreement with Liberia’s Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to develop women's technology and business innovation hubs with child care centres across the country. ![Infratel tests Starlink in Nigeria as backhaul option for rural NuRAN sites](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Places/Cameroon_rural_fulani_herd_600.jpg) Details John Tanner Category: [Satellite Networks](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/satellite-communications-networks.html) 24 September 2026 2861 views NuRAN Wireless revealed on Tuesday that telecoms infrastructure service provider Infratel has launched a pilot at a rural NuRAN site in Nigeria to evaluate Starlink’s LEO satellite service as a potential backhaul solution. ![Airtel Money confirms imminent London IPO listing](https://developingtelecoms.com/images/stories/Company_Logos/Airtel-Money-1200.jpg) Details James Barton Category: [Mobile Finance](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-technology/financial-services.html) 23 September 2026 5966 views Airtel Money has reaffirmed its longstanding intention to list on the London Stock Exchange as early as today after its plans were delayed earlier this year.