MTN Nigeria secures US$99m from EIB for its 4G network expansion programme 

NIGERIA – The European Investment Bank (EIB) has agreed to €100 million (US$99.63m) financing with MTN Nigeria Communications Plc (MTN Nigeria) to support the telecommunications company’s network expansion programme.  The investment will aid the acceleration of 4G coverage in Nigeria and expand broadband access in line with MTN’s Ambition 2025 strategy.  Karl Toriola, Chief Executive Officer, MTN Nigeria, said, “We are committed to leading digital solutions for Nigeria’s progress. This…

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Telecoms company Safaricom launches Kenya’s first 5G network

KENYA – Safaricom, a mobile network operator, has announced the availability of 5G Wi-Fi to empower its customers with superfast internet at home and at work, complementing its growing fibre network. Safaricom became the first service provider in Kenya to announce 5G trials in March last year, and this development now empowers customers in 5G-ready areas to enjoy fast and…

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VC firm Hlayisani Capital acquires minority stake in Tractor Media Holdings

SOUTH AFRICA – Hlayisani Capital, a private equity and venture capital firm, has announced that it has bought a minority stake in Tractor Media Holdings, one of South Africa’s leading digital outdoor media owners. Hlayisani Capital said the funds will be channelled towards the acceleration of Tractor’s aggressive digital out of home (DOOH) growth strategy. The funds will also allow…

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Morocco’s Outsourcia Group acquires customer relationship management PhoneAct

MOROCCO – The Moroccan outsourcing and customer relationship expert Outsourcia Group has announced the acquisition of Tunisia’s specialist in Offshore Customer Relationship Management, PhoneAct. The acquisition, financed by SPE Capital, the largest stakeholder at Outsourcia, led to the transfer of some shares from Outsourcia to the founder of PhoneAct Mehdi Ayed, making him a new partner in the Moroccan group.…

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Vodacom South Africa to use solar energy production at Midrand campus

SOUTH AFRICA – As part of its sustainable strategy around energy management, Vodacom SA’s Midrand campus is being fitted with solar photovoltaic (PV) panels which will allow the headquarters to generate around 10.8 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of its own clean power every year – roughly 21% of its power consumption. “Everything we do is driven by our purpose to shape a…

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Helios Investment Partners sells its 60% stake in Telkom Kenya to The State

KENYA – The Government of Kenya, through The Treasury, has acquired a 60 per cent stake in Telkom Kenya from UK-based private equity fund, Helios Investment Partners, for KSh6.09 billion (US$50.40m), making the company fully State-owned. The exit comes six years after Jamhuri acquired majority ownership in the integrated telecommunications solutions provider from France Telecom in June 2016, through its…

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Vodacom Business Africa expands its SD-WAN solution into Africa

AFRICA – Vodacom Business Africa has announced plans to launch its software-defined wide area networking (SD-WAN) solution to clients in all 47 operating countries across its African footprint after a successful trial in South Africa. SD-WAN is emerging as the go-to solution in business, delivering unmatched performance and cost benefits, including increased agility and quality of service, better reliability and…

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Safaricom announces 50 per cent reduction in Fuliza interest charges

KENYA – Safaricom and KCB Bank Kenya have announced a restructuring of the popular Fuliza overdraft facility in a move that will see customers transacting on Fuliza access the overdraft facility at a free daily maintenance fee for the first three days for transactions of KSh. 1,000 and below. The move benefits more than 80% of M-Pesa customers who seek…

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Eutelsat and Liquid sign agreement to enable SMEs in Africa to access internet via satellite

AFRICA – Eutelsat Communications and Liquid Intelligent Technologies (Liquid), have signed a multi-year, multi-beam agreement for capacity on the EUTELSAT KONNECT satellite. This is meant to address the connectivity needs of Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) and Small Office / Home Office (SOHO) customers in Uganda, South Sudan and the Eastern regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Under the…

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MTN Groups appoints new Chief Consumer Officer and Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer

AFRICA – Telecoms company MTN Group, has announced a review of its executive structure as the company gears up to deliver on its Ambition 2025 strategy to transform from a Telco to a TechCo. In line with this strategic shift, the company has appointed Ernst Fonternel into the role of Chief Consumer Officer and Divyesh Joshi into the role of…

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