Helios Towers expects satellite technology to complement terrestrial networks as data demand grows
AFRICA 31 JUL

Helios Towers expects satellite technology to complement terrestrial networks as data demand grows

Helios Towers has published a white paper detailing how communications infrastructure should evolve to meet surging connectivity demand across Africa and the Middle East. It says terrestrial networks will continue to provide core capacity but that satellite technologies will support them by providing backhaul service and filling coverage gaps. Over the past five years, data consumption has climbed six-fold on Helios' footprint, driving record tenancy additions in the first quarter of 2026. Driven by populat

Vodacom Business offers Huawei SD-WAN service to SMMEs
AFRICA 31 JUL

Vodacom Business offers Huawei SD-WAN service to SMMEs

Vodacom Business is offering a managed, carrier-grade Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) service with Huawei to small, micro, and medium enterprises (SMMEs). It is designed for rapid deployment and simplified administration and enables businesses to modernise their connectivity infrastructure, improve network performance and support cloud-based operations. Vodacom Business managing executive for fixed and mobile products Ismail Gani said the service lets SMMEs to expand their network reach efficien

Inwi and Huawei deploy 8T8R system to upgrade connectivity on transit corridors
MOROCCO 30 JUL

Inwi and Huawei deploy 8T8R system to upgrade connectivity on transit corridors

Moroccan telecom operator Inwi has partnered with Huawei for the commercial deployment of a 1.8 GHz + 2.1 GHz dual-band 8T8R system on the country's major transportation corridors, including high-speed railways and highways. Powered by Huawei's HyperBeamforming technology and high-gain Hertz antennas, the dual-band system creates targeted narrow beams that dramatically reduce signal interference. This expands single-site coverage by 30 percent, extending coverage by nearly 1 km without requiring extra physi

Moroccan government signs MoU with Vertiv to expand digital infrastructure
MOROCCO 30 JUL

Moroccan government signs MoU with Vertiv to expand digital infrastructure

Morocco's ICT ministry has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with critical infrastructure provider Vertiv to accelerate the national digital roadmap. The MoU establishes a framework to build high-capacity digital infrastructure for cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), high-performance computing (HPC) and data centres and with power and liquid cooling systems needed to support next-generation workloads. ICT minister Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni said that robust digital infrastructure is cent

LPTIC and Nokia explore 5G expansion and network upgrades
LIBYA 30 JUL

LPTIC and Nokia explore 5G expansion and network upgrades

The Libyan Post, Telecommunication and Information Technology Company (LPTIC), led by chairman Ali Ben Gharbia, has held talks with Nokia's regional director and with leadership from local companies to discuss modernising the nation's telecoms infrastructure, The Herald reported. The talks concentrated on deploying 5G technologies, improving network efficiency and accelerating digital transformation. During the meeting, Gharbia emphasised the importance of building strategic partnerships with global tech le

Helios Towers raises FY guidance as H1 revenue rises 11%
AFRICA 30 JUL

Helios Towers raises FY guidance as H1 revenue rises 11%

Helios Towers has reported an 11 percent year-on-year increase in revenue for the first half of 2026 to USD 466.3 million from USD 418.3 million, driven primarily by strong tenancy growth. Adjusted EBITDA rose 14 percent to USD 257.0 million from USD 225.5 million, supported by colocation additions and operational efficiencies. The adjusted EBITDA margin expanded by one percentage point to 55 percent from 54 percent.

Uganda secures seat on ATU Administrative Council
AFRICA 29 JUL

Uganda secures seat on ATU Administrative Council

Uganda was elected to the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) Administrative Council for the next four years at the ATU Conference of Plenipotentiaries (CPL-26) in Abuja, Nigeria. This diplomatic milestone places Uganda at the centre of continental policy-making for digital connectivity, cybersecurity, spectrum management, AI and emerging technologies. The vote reflects strong regional confidence in Uganda's ICT leadership and its commitment to advancing Africa's collective digital agenda.

Paratus Zambia manager promoted to group COO
AFRICA 29 JUL

Paratus Zambia manager promoted to group COO

African telecommunications group Paratus has appointed Marius van Vuuren to the role of Group chief operating officer. This follows over ten years leading Paratus in Zambia. Neill Nortje was named the new country manager of Paratus Zambia.

Cisco appoints Eldeeb as managing director for Africa
AFRICA 29 JUL

Cisco appoints Eldeeb as managing director for Africa

Cisco has appointed Ossama Eldeeb as managing director for Africa, effective immediately, to lead the company's commercial strategy and investment initiatives across the continent. In his new role, Eldeeb will collaborate with local partner ecosystems to expand Cisco's operational footprint and drive inclusive digital growth, the company said. 

ATU elects Mwale as secretary general
AFRICA 28 JUL

ATU elects Mwale as secretary general

Member states of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) have elected Kezias Kazuba Mwale as the organisation's next secretary general for the 2027-2031 term during the seventh ordinary session of the ATU Conference of Plenipotentiaries (CPL-2026) in Abuja, Nigeria. Mwale will assume office on 01 January 2027, serving a four-year term in accordance with the ATU constitution. Until the official handover, incumbent secretary general John Omo will continue to lead the general secretariat, manage the executi

Sonatel H1 revenues increase 9%, EBITDA up nearly 12%
AFRICA 27 JUL

Sonatel H1 revenues increase 9%, EBITDA up nearly 12%

Telecom group Sonatel reported a 9.3 percent year-on-year increase in first-half revenues to XOF 1.050 trillion across its West African footprint comprising Senegal, Mali, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and Sierra Leone. Over the same period, EBITDAaL progressed by 11.6 percent to XOF 510.8 billion, representing an EBITDAaL margin of 48.7 percent. The group also achieved double-digit growth in net income, which rose 10.5 percent to XOF 230 billion.

Huawei introduces Xinghe AI CloudCampus SaaS platform to Southern Africa
AFRICA 27 JUL

Huawei introduces Xinghe AI CloudCampus SaaS platform to Southern Africa

Huawei has introduced its new Xinghe AI CloudCampus SaaS platform for the South African market. The platform is expected to help lower the barrier to AI adoption and provide reliable cloud-managed network infrastructure for South African government agencies and enterprises.

AFRICA 27 JUL

Bayobab appoints Nunes as GM of planning and implementation

MTN Digital Infrastructure, the parent company of African wholesale operator Bayobab, has appointed Richard Nunes as general manager of planning and implementation, effective 1 August. Nunes brings over 20 years of leadership experience across telecommunications and digital infrastructure, with deep expertise in mobile, fixed, and enterprise environments. His background in network implementation, solution architecture, and large-scale transformation programs will be key to driving Bayobab's strategic growth

AFRICA 27 JUL

GSMA welcomes Abuja Declaration on African connectivity and co-launches ATLAS Umoja AI

The GSMA has welcomed the Abuja Ministerial Declaration on Meaningful Connectivity for Africa, adopted by ministers and heads of delegation at the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) conference of plenipotentiaries (CPL-2026). The declaration commits African governments to advancing policies that foster meaningful connectivity, digital inclusion, technology-neutral regulation, resilient infrastructure and locally relevant digital services. It underscores the need for cross-sector collaboration among gove

AFRICA 27 JUL

Liquid Intelligent group CFO to step down

Liquid Intelligent Technologies has announced that group chief financial officer Lorraine Harper will step down following the successful completion of the group's refinancing programme and financial year-end. Fayyaz Ansari has been appointed interim group CFO from 10 August. Harper will remain with the organisation until the end of September to facilitate a smooth handover.

AFRICA 27 JUL

Vodacom Group revenue rises 6% in Q1

Vodacom Group has reported that revenue grew by 5.9 percent year-on-year to ZAR 42.4 billion in the first quarter ended 30 June, reflecting translation impacts from a stronger rand. On a normalised basis, group revenue rose 11.4 percent. Group service revenue increased by 6.3 percent, with normalised growth accelerating to 12.6 percent and tracking favourably against medium-term targets. In South Africa, service revenue rose 2.0 percent, supported by improved prepaid performance, while Egypt delivered 32.8

AFRICA 24 JUL

MTN sponsors migration seminar

MTN Group president and CEO Ralph Mupita has told the Kgalema Motlanthe Foundation winter seminar that long-term prosperity will depend less on how Africa manages migration, and more on its ability to expand economic opportunity, strengthen regional integration and enable broader participation across societies. MTN is a sponsor of the seminar, which brought together leaders from government, business, the diplomatic corps, academia and civil society to discuss the relationship between migration and regional

AFRICA 23 JUL

Southern Africa ICT ministers endorse Mwale for ATU secretary general

Ministers responsible for ICT across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have endorsed the candidature of Kezias Kazuba Mwale for secretary general of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU). They urge member states to support Mwale's bid at the seventh ordinary session of the ATU conference of plenipotentiaries, taking place in July/August in Abuja, Nigeria. Mwale, who has served as the ATU's director for spectrum since 2012, stated that his candidacy is driven by a commitment to advancing

AFRICA 23 JUL

Airtel Africa revenue rises 31% in Q1

Airtel Africa has reported a 31.0 percent year-on-year increase in revenue to USD 1.85 billion for its first quarter ended June. In constant currency, revenue growth was 21.1 percent, as macroeconomic tailwinds supported currency appreciation. Regionally, constant currency revenues grew by 17.8 percent in East Africa and 18.0 percent in Francophone Africa. Nigeria led regional growth with a 29.8 percent increase as it fully benefited from tariff adjustments introduced in the final quarter of 2025.

AFRICA 22 JUL

Maroc Telecom Group revenue up 6% in Q2

Maroc Telecom Group reported a 5.7 percent year-over-year increase in second-quarter revenue, reaching MAD 9.68 billion for the period ending June, up from MAD 9.16 billion in Q2 2025. EBITDA rose 4.1 percent to MAD 4.88 billion, reflecting an EBITDA margin of 51.2 percent, up from 50.4 percent. Net income (group share), however, dropped 57.4 percent to MAD 1.18 billion from MAD 2.77 billion. Capital expenditure saw a marginal 0.9 percent increase, edging up to MAD 2.07 billion from MAD 2.05 billion.

AFRICA 22 JUL

MultiChoice Rest of Africa pay-TV CEO steps down after 20 years

Fhulu Badugela, CEO of Pay-TV for Rest of Africa at Canal Plus, is stepping down at the end of July following more than two decades of service. Canal Plus described Badugela as one of its most respected executives, praising her instrumental role in driving the business' growth and continental evolution. As former CEO of MultiChoice Group Rest of Africa, she successfully managed operations in various African markets, championed regional talent and built key partnerships that positioned the company for sustai

ALGERIA 17 JUL

Algeria begins nationwide IPv6 adoption

Algeria is accelerating its transition to the IPv6 protocol, state news agency APS reported. After strategy meeting convened by the ICT ministry in Algiers, nationwide deployment is beginning at local internet service providers (ISPs) and enterprise networks. This migration aims to overcome IPv4 address depletion, improve digital service quality, and future-proof the country's networks.

AFRICA 17 JUL

Vodacom Group and African Union Commission discuss developing digital infrastructure and AI

The African Union commissioner for infrastructure and energy Lerato Dorothy Matabog Mataboge has held a meeting with Ayman Essam, chief external affairs officer of Vodacom Group, to explore avenues for boosting digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence on the continent. Vodacom trades in eight African markets and its Vision 2030 strategy closely aligns with the African Union's own aim to connect every single African to the digital economy. The discussions centered on the vital foundations needed to

AFRICA 17 JUL

African Union and ITU partner to advance digital transformation and AI

The African Union Commission (AUC) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) have signed a memorandum of understanding at the 'AI for Good' global summit in Geneva concerning digital transformation. The MoU establishes a unified approach to advancing critical technological fronts, with focuses on artificial intelligence (AI) governance, the deployment of robust digital public infrastructure (DPI), and comprehensive digital and AI skills development. It outlines joint efforts to achieve universal c

Just In

1 AUG 17:55

Turkcell launches rewards programme for prepay customers

1 AUG 17:32

Vodafone Turkiye tops 1 million ChatGPT package users in one month

31 JUL 15:25

Datagrid inks supply and installation deal with ASN, OMS for Tasman Ring Network project

31 JUL 14:16

Vantiva eyes H2 recovery after 15% sales decline in January-June

Commentary

2 JUL 11:26

Canal Plus misses chance to strengthen Dutch business, time for exit?

23 JUN 09:56

ACM blocks Delta/Glaspoort deal - what can KPN do?

5 MEI 10:55

KPN: the art of making one-offs structural

4 MEI 14:25

Open Dutch Fiber outlook: time to restart roll-out?

Background

26 JUL 23:19

The week in telecom: Samsung works on foldable challenge, US telcos try FMC

19 JUL 23:41

The week in telecom: OnePlus exits tough smartphone market and Apple takes on OpenAI

12 JUL 23:30

The week in telecom: European telcos take shape as Xavier Niel buys more of Vodafone, Telenor expands in Sweden

5 JUL 23:03

The week in telecom: Comcast gives up on vertical integration, BT and Verizon agree global alliance