Airtel Africa and Starlink have launched their satellite-to-mobile service in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with the operator claiming the country's deployment is the first commercial launch of Elon Musk's satellite connectivity service.
News from Sub-Saharan Africa
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- Category: Satellite Networks
- 1831 views
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- Category: Operators
- 1176 views
South African operator Vodacom has appointed lead independent director Khumo Shuenyane as its next chairman, succeeding Saki Macozoma when he retires in July 2027.
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- Category: Regulation
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The Democratic Republic of Congo's Universal Service Development Fund (FDSU) has outlined a 10-year strategy to expand connectivity in underserved areas, built around a collaborative infrastructure model bringing together TowerCos, mobile operators, government and the telecom regulator.
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- Category: Operators
- 1613 views
MTN has launched an AI-powered job board on its MTN Skills Academy, connecting users with vacancies, skills training and career guidance on a single platform.
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- Category: Wireless Networks
- 1491 views
Malawi fixed wireless access (FWA) service provider Converged Technology Networks (CTN) has reportedly partnered with unconnected.org and the Internet Society to expand its network cover more underserved areas in Lilongwe.
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- Category: Humanitarian Comms
- 6670 views
The world is more connected than ever. Some six billion people were online in 2025, according to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Yet 2.2 billion remained offline, mostly in low- and middle-income countries. Even that figure understates the challenge: the GSMA estimates that more than three billion people live within mobile-broadband coverage but do not use mobile internet.
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- Category: Devices & Platforms
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Global smartphone shipments fell 7% year-on-year in 2Q26 as the ongoing memory shortage pushed up device prices and weakened consumer demand.
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- Category: Service Management
- 2305 views
Sudan has launched a national digital public procurement platform as part of broader reforms aimed at improving the management of scarce public resources after years of a conflict that has severely weakened government finances.
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- Category: Optical & Fixed Networks
- 2620 views
Nigeria has moved its planned nationwide fibre infrastructure programme, Project BRIDGE, from the planning phase into execution following the incorporation of Bridge Open Access (Bridge OA), an independent company established to oversee delivery of the initiative.
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- Category: Cybersecurity
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Security is the theme of two recent stories from Mozambique. One is a UN-supported alliance to extend awareness of potential cybercrime, while the other involves a controversial attempt – now blocked by a court order – to authorise the state to block telecommunications services.
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- Category: Energy & Sustainability
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At a time when data centre development seems to promise jobs, investment and technological advances for many developing nations, many governments and companies are also having to deal with the often adverse public perceptions of such development on water and power.
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- Category: Operators
- 3936 views
MTN Group said it has secured approval from IHS Towers shareholders to acquire the remaining shares it does not own, moving the pan-African operator closer to full control of the tower company.
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- Category: Wireless Networks
- 2712 views
Free space optics vendor Taara announced on Wednesday that Liquid Intelligent Technologies is using its technology to connect large enterprise customers to data centres in Lagos, Nigeria.
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- Category: Investment
- 11852 views
The Emerging Africa & Asia Infrastructure Fund (EAAIF) is loaning a combined US$82.8 million to two Africa-focused telecom infrastructure firms.
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- Category: Operators
- 2918 views
Bharti Airtel has reported an 18.4% year-on-year increase in consolidated revenue for the first quarter of its 2027 financial year, driven by continued growth across its India and Africa operations, alongside strong momentum in its mobile, home broadband and enterprise businesses.
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- Category: Investment
- 2822 views
Following the successful subscription of its Series 1 corporate bond, technology solutions and services company Dimension Data Limited says it has completed the signing ceremony for the issuance of N4.05 billion (approximately US$2.9 million).
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- Category: Regulation
- 2874 views
American Tower Corporation (ATC) Uganda has contributed UGX20.9 billion (US$5.7 million) to Uganda's Universal Service and Access Fund (UCUSAF), supporting government efforts to expand connectivity and digital inclusion in underserved communities.
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- Category: Investment
- 3279 views
Lesotho has secured what is being described as the largest foreign investment in its history with the signing of the US$6.2 billion Kobong Project, whose aims include the development of hydropower resources and an artificial intelligence (AI) data centre.
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- Category: Operators
- 4124 views
MTN Ghana has reported a 32.3% year-on-year increase in service revenue for the first half of 2026, driven by continued growth in mobile data and mobile money services, following the structural separation of its fintech business earlier this year.
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- Category: Operators
- 6762 views
MTN Group has denied claims made by Ghanaian technology company Clydestone Ghana PLC after the latter initiated legal proceedings over the origins of mobile money services in Ghana, insisting the allegations are without merit and will be vigorously contested.
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- Category: Mobile Finance
- 4543 views
African digital payments network Onafriq announced on Wednesday it is partnering with stablecoin infrastructure provider Privy to drive development of stablecoin-enabled crypto payment services across its network.
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- Category: Mobile Finance
- 4283 views
It’s been a busy week for Ethiopia’s second-biggest operator, which has introduced more new services via its M-Pesa mobile money service. However, its state-owned rival is also celebrating positive news, after announcing impressive customer and revenue growth figures.
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- Category: Regulation
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Ghana's National Communications Authority (NCA) has taken another step towards the rollout of 5G services by holding a pre-application briefing for prospective bidders interested in acquiring spectrum licences in the 700 MHz, 2.3 GHz and 3 GHz mid-band frequencies.
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- Category: Regulation
- 2680 views
Rwanda’s Ministry of Information and Communication Technologies and Innovation (MINICT) says it has received approval from the government for its plan to shut down 2G and 3G services over the next two years.
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- Category: Operators
- 4820 views
Angola's largest telecoms operator, Unitel, has suffered a cyberattack that disrupted voice, mobile data and internet services nationwide just one day before the company is due to begin trading on the country's stock exchange.
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- Category: Operators
- 2790 views
Angola has raised AOA300.3 billion (US$329 million) after selling a 15% stake in Unitel, with the initial public offering (IPO) of the country's largest telecom operator attracting demand that exceeded the shares available.
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- Category: Energy & Sustainability
- 5208 views
Operator MTN South Africa and integrated information and communication technology solutions provider ZTE Corporation say they have advanced the commercial validation of ZTE AIR RAN EnergyTurbo, an AI-native closed-loop energy intelligence solution.
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- Category: Satellite Networks
- 3510 views
In case anyone was wondering what Amazon Leo’s plans were after the deal with Globalstar earlier this year, a recent filing with the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) may offer some clues.
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- Category: Energy & Sustainability
- 3424 views
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says it signed an MoU with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) on Friday to deploy renewable energy for telecom infrastructure in Nigeria to bring down costs and boost reliability.
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- Category: Wireless Networks
- 5311 views
Mobile service Dolphin Telecoms South Africa says it has officially launched its mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), delivering affordable mobile connectivity designed for people who live, work, study, or regularly travel in South Africa while maintaining strong ties with their home countries.
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- Category: Operators
- 2725 views
Vodacom Group has reported higher first-quarter revenue and service revenue, supported by strong performances in Egypt, its international operations and financial services, as the operator completed its acquisition of a controlling stake in Safaricom.
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- Category: Mobile Finance
- 3038 views
Guinea has launched a new instant payment system called NimbaPay, which enables instant, secure, and interoperable payments between participating banks, electronic money institutions and microfinance institutions.
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- Category: Mobile Finance
- 5280 views
Vodacom Lesotho has launched Tsetela, a mobile-based investment solution aimed at expanding access to formal investing among the country’s population.
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- Category: Mobile Finance
- 7652 views
The continuing advances made by insurance services into the mobile communications sphere are illustrated by new insurance-related partnerships in two very different markets: Uganda and Jordan.
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