GSMA plans affordable 4G smartphone pilots in six African countries this year
AFRICA 3 MRT

GSMA plans affordable 4G smartphone pilots in six African countries this year

The GSMA has announced that the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda have been selected by the GSMA Handset Affordability Coalition for pilots to introduce affordable 4G smartphones this year. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the GSMA and by the G6 group of leading African operators and original equipment manufacturers (OEM) partners formalises the cooperation. A current challenge is the surge in the global cost of memory prices. The GSMA and coalit

MTN Group and UNHCR partner to connect displaced people
AFRICA 3 MRT

MTN Group and UNHCR partner to connect displaced people

MTN Group has signed a multi-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) to advance meaningful connectivity and digital inclusion for refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), asylum seekers and host communities in MTN markets. The partnership recognises a shifting humanitarian landscape across sub-Saharan Africa, where conflict, economic shocks and climate-related disasters continue to drive large-scale displacement. Over 20 million displaced people reside in markets wher

Cassava Technologies launches autonomous network platform powered by Nvidia
AFRICA 3 MRT

Cassava Technologies launches autonomous network platform powered by Nvidia

Cassava Technologies announced the launch of Cassava Autonomous Network, the African group's own autonomous network platform designed to self-optimise mobile RAN. The company said the system was built specifically for the unique complexities of Africa's connectivity landscape, using Nvidia AI infrastructure, Nvidia NIM microservices and Nvidia Network Configuration Blueprint.

Tunisia's central bank raises awareness of 3G shutdown from mid-2027
TUNISIA 3 MRT

Tunisia's central bank raises awareness of 3G shutdown from mid-2027

The central bank of Tunisia has asked institutions dedicated to financial and postal services to start preparing for the country's planned switch-off of 3G networks, noting that the gradual shutdown process will start from mid-2027 under the national digital transformation strategy. Stakeholders have been urged to take action in advance to avoid disruption, particularly by ensuring that 3G-enabled payment terminals are identified and upgraded.

Qvantel opens managed services centre in Algeria with Djezzy
ALGERIA 2 MRT

Qvantel opens managed services centre in Algeria with Djezzy

Qvantel announced that it has strengthened its partnership with Algerian operator Djezzy with the opening of a local managed services centre in Algeria. Djezzy partners with Qvantel for BSS software and services to develop and monetize services and provide customer service in the Algerian market.

MTN Group expects strong improvement in profits for 2025
AFRICA 2 MRT

MTN Group expects strong improvement in profits for 2025

MTN Group said it expects to report strong earnings for 2025, with a net result between ZAR 10.62 and ZAR 11.68 per share for the financial year, compared to a loss of ZAR 5.31 in 2024. Headline EPS is expected to reach ZAR 12.64-12.85, up from ZAR 0.98 the previous year. The mobile operator noted that its larger operations, including MTN Ghana and MTN Nigeria, delivered robust earnings in the 2025 financial year, with improved profitability driven by stronger revenue growth, and there was positive operatio

Vodafone to use Amazon Leo for mobile backhaul in Europe, Africa
AFRICA 2 MRT

Vodafone to use Amazon Leo for mobile backhaul in Europe, Africa

Vodafone announced an agreement with Amazon Leo to use the low Earth orbit satellite network to provide services for its customers in Europe and Africa. The network is expected to support backhaul to 4G and 5G mobile sites in remote areas, helping improve coverage for its mobile customers.

Orange Maroc launches Yo Max 5G plans with OTT services
MOROCCO 27 FEB

Orange Maroc launches Yo Max 5G plans with OTT services

Orange Maroc introduced the new Yo Max 5G mobile plans, offering customers a choice of six mobile data plans priced between MAD 99 and MAD 649 per month. They come with 25 GB up to 160 GB of data or unlimited data, as well as an increasing number of OTT services to choose from, such as OSN+, Viu, Blacknut or Anghami, and a data roaming allowance starting from the 80 GB plan for MAD 299. Subscribers can manage their plan via the Maxit app.

Axian Telecom B+ ratings confirmed by S&P, outlook improved to stable
AFRICA 26 FEB

Axian Telecom B+ ratings confirmed by S&P, outlook improved to stable

Axian Telecom Holding and Management, the parent company of pan-African telecom group Yas, announced that S&P Global Ratings has affirmed its long-term issuer credit rating and senior unsecured debt rating at B+ and revised the outlook from negative to stable. The rating affirmation follows S&P's decision to affirm the sovereign ratings of Madagascar and reflects easing near-term risks and stabilising macroeconomic conditions in key markets. Madagascar and Tanzania each contribute approximately 35 percent o

African smartphone market rises 14% in Q4
AFRICA 26 FEB

African smartphone market rises 14% in Q4

African smartphone shipments rose 14 percent year-on-year to 23.1 million units in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to new research from Omdia. They were supported by expanding device-financing options across East, West and Southern Africa. Stabilising currencies, accelerating 4G adoption and early-stage 5G uptake in markets such as South Africa and Egypt also contributed, alongside festive season promotions and channel-led affordability initiatives.

ATU organises regulatory training on satellite internet services
AFRICA 25 FEB

ATU organises regulatory training on satellite internet services

The Africa Telecommunications Union (ATU), working with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and Amazon, has launched an online capacity building programme on low earth orbit satellite internet services for policymakers, regulators and technical experts from its member states. The engagement comes at a moment when LEO satellite constellations are moving from a specialised service layer to a mainstream connectivity proposition, with direc

Algerie Telecom launches Ramadan offer on internet speed upgrades
ALGERIA 25 FEB

Algerie Telecom launches Ramadan offer on internet speed upgrades

Algerie Telecom introduced a promotional campaign for Ramadan 2026, granting subscribers free internet days when they upgrade their connection speeds. The promotion introduces a reward structure tied to the timing of the upgrade. Subscribers who increase their bandwidth during the first week of Ramadan will receive 30 days of free internet access, while those upgrading in the second, third, and final weeks will benefit from 21, 14, and 7 free days respectively. The company says the staggered system is desig

ALGERIA 24 FEB

Algeria reaches 3 mln fibre homes passed

Algeria says more than three million households have been connected to fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) services, marking a new milestone in its nationwide broadband expansion strategy. The achievement forms part of the country's All Fibre plan, which aims to generalize fibre optic coverage across Algeria by 2027. The ICT ministry said the progress reflects its commitment to continuing the rollout in coordination with sector stakeholders, led by Algerie Telecom. 

AFRICA 24 FEB

Africell to explore cryptocurrency services with Binance

African operator Africell and Binance, a global blockchain ecosystem and cryptocurrency infrastructure provider, announced their intent to collaborate on blockchain education, crypto literacy, and digital asset services across Africa. Key areas of the proposed collaboration include working on crypto-as-a-service, exploration of crypto payment technologies including Binance Link to enable crypto payments and digital services through Africell's mobile platform, and co-branded courses and workshops on Binance

AFRICA 23 FEB

African Union and Google partner to advance AI adoption

The African Union Commission (AUC) has signed a strategic partnership with Google aimed at accelerating the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence across Africa's public sector, education systems and climate resilience initiatives. The partnership prioritises capacity building, digital inclusion and innovation. A central pillar of the initiative is an AI skilling programme designed to equip African public officials with advanced digital competencies to enhance governance, policy design and public s

TUNISIA 20 FEB

Ooredoo to expand 'walletii' fintech service to Tunisia

Ooredoo, through its financial services arm Ooredoo Fintech, has received regulatory approval from the central bank of Tunisia to launch the 'walletii by Ooredoo' digital wallet in the country. This mobile app, already available in Oman since 2024, will enable users to send and receive money, pay bills, make QR code-based payments, earn rewards, and withdraw cash from any Ooredoo distribution point nationwide. For this forthcoming launch in Tunisia, Ooredoo Fintech is supported by financial partners QNB (Qa

AFRICA 19 FEB

Comesa watchdog probes Meta over WhatsApp AI terms

The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) Competition and Consumer Commission (CCCC) has formally launched an investigation into Meta Platforms Ireland over claims that the company is abusing its dominant position in the bloc. In its notice of investigation, the Comesa watchdog targets changes Meta made to the WhatsApp Business Solution Terms in October 2025 that block third party AI providers from using the WhatsApp Business API. CCCC says Meta amended its terms on 15 October 2025 without

AFRICA 18 FEB

Senegal hosts LEO satellite training for African regulators

Senegal's Telecommunications and Posts Regulatory Authority (ARTP), in partnership with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the World Bank Group and Smart Africa, has held a training session on Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites in Senegal, Ecofin reported. It concerned use of satellite connectivity to expand internet access in rural and remote areas. Participants reviewed the regulatory and technical requirements for integrating satellite services into national telecom networks while ensuring se

AFRICA 18 FEB

Westcon-Comstor launches Meraki-in-a-Box for partners and customers

Westcon-Comstor announced that Comstor Southern Africa has launched Meraki-in-a-Box, a fully mobile Meraki environment that gives partners and customers an easy way to adopt cloud-managed networking. The complete Meraki stack is packaged into a rugged rolling case, delivering a SMB cloud-managed networking, security and IoT solution created by Comstor's engineering and enablement teams.

AFRICA 18 FEB

MTN to acquire all of IHS Towers for USD 6 bln

IHS Towers has agreed a takeover by MTN Group for USD 8.50 per share cash, giving the company an approximately USD 6.2 billion enterprise value. IHS Towers said that the offer represents a 36 percent premium on its average share price over the past year. It follows the agreed sale of its Latin American business, leaving its operations in Africa for consolidation with MTN across its footprint. 

ALGERIA 18 FEB

Algerie Telecom to strengthen 4G coverage with 345 additional base stations

Algerie Telecom is investing in its 4G network with plans to deploy 345 new base stations. This roll-out project aims to add capacity across densely-populated communities experiencing high demand in connectivity, while also extending the 4G footprint to underserved areas. Algerie Telecom said that the eNodeB base stations will be deployed in two stages across 44 of the country's provinces (wilayas). The project is already underway with the first 195 to be installed by March, the remaining 150 forming the se

AFRICA 17 FEB

Orange MEA awards three start-ups after summer youth challenge

Orange Middle East and Africa (OMEA) has awarded three innovative start-ups developed by young entrepreneurs from Africa and the Middle East, following the third International Orange Summer Challenge (OSC) award ceremony. This a flagship programme of the mobile operator's Digital Centers network, to help young people turn their ideas into technology-based solutions with strong social and environmental impact.

AFRICA 16 FEB

Maroc Telecom revenue rises 2% in Q4, EBITDA still lower

Maroc Telecom said its revenue in constant currency increased by 2.1 percent year-on-year to MAD 9.0 billion in the fourth quarter ended December 2025. In reported currency, revenue rose 1.7 percent, thanks to the performance of the Moov Africa subsidiaries and a slight growth in revenues in Morocco. EBITDA declined by 3.1 percent in constant currency and 3.4 percent in reported currency to MAD 4.80 billion, reflecting an EBITDA margin of 51.1 percent, down from 53.8 percent. Net profit fell by 8.9 percent

TUNISIA 12 FEB

Tunisia's mobile payments and transfers increase 81% in 2025

Tunisia's central bank has reported an 81 percent year-on-year rise in mobile payments, transfers and cash-in/cash-out transactions, reaching a total of 8.4 million across 2025. In value terms, operations enabled by payment service providers (PSPs) amounted to TND 1,769 billion, representing a 59 percent increase over the same period. Mobile payments accounted for a 52 percent share of the total value, with the remainder broadly split among transfers, cash-in and cash-out transactions.

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