Airtel Zambia and IHS Towers to invest $14M in 6 months for wider coverage

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Airtel Zambia and IHS Towers to invest $14M
How Mixlr found a home in Nigerian churches
Shuttlers adds CNG buses to its fleet

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Airtel Zambia and IHS Towers to invest $14M in 6 months for wider coverage

Airtel Zambia is stepping up its game, planning to drop $14 million over the next six months to build 152 new communication towers across the country. The goal? Better network quality and wider coverage. They’re partnering IHS Towers, a global leader in digital infrastructure, to make it happen.

According to Hussam Baday, Airtel Zambia’s Managing Director, the project will boost population coverage from 91.6% to 93% by 2026, with plans to push that even further to 95% and 96% within two years. Speaking at a meeting with Zambia’s Minister of Technology and Science, Felix Mutati, Baday highlighted how these towers will bring more reliable mobile services to more people.

Mutati was all for it, saying the government is excited about the partnership. “In just six months, 152 new towers will be up, that’s a big win for mobile connectivity in Zambia,” he said, welcoming the private-public collaboration in expanding digital infrastructure.

Meanwhile, MTN Zambia is also making moves, teaming up with Huawei to introduce a next-gen antenna system that promises better network performance and energy efficiency. The new Meta-Active Antenna Unit (Meta-AAU) is built to provide wider coverage, increased bandwidth, and lower energy consumption, making it a game-changer for 5G expansion.

MTN’s Chief Technology Officer, Thomas Ngoma, says this tech is key to the future of 5G, or rather, 5.5G. He explained that Huawei’s dual-band AAU technology will not only enhance the current network but also lay the foundation for future upgrades.

Robin Yu Bin, a Huawei executive, added that the successful launch of this solution proves its commercial potential. Huawei is committed to helping MTN build a smart, sustainable network, pushing Zambia’s mobile connectivity into the future. With Airtel expanding coverage and MTN enhancing 5G, Zambia’s mobile network is getting a serious upgrade.

How Mixlr found a home in Nigerian churches

Not too long ago, going to church meant physically showing up, singing with the choir, and shaking hands after the service. But with digital technology taking over every part of our lives, churches have found new ways to connect with their members beyond the four walls of a building. The C0VID-19 pandemic pushed this shift even further, forcing many churches to explore online platforms just to keep services going.

In the midst of this transition, Mixlr, a London-based audio streaming service, quietly became a favourite among Nigerian churches. What started as a temporary fix soon turned into a long-term strategy. Even after in-person services resumed, many churches kept using Mixlr to reach members who were travelling, stuck at home, or even just curious about the faith.

Before Mixlr, churches mostly relied on recordings — burning CDs or uploading downloadable sermons online. Now, Nigeria is Mixlr’s biggest user base, even ahead of the United States. By February 2025, Nigerians made up 24.05% of the platform’s web traffic and a whopping 94.53% of its 3.7 million mobile users.

Most of these users fall within the 25 to 34 age group, meaning young adults are the biggest adopters. Churches like RCCG, NSPPD, Koinonia, and Covenant Nation have helped drive this growth, making faith-based content one of the top reasons Nigerians visit Mixlr.

While Mixlr is mostly popular among Christian organisations, some Muslim groups have also started using it. A Muslim user told Techpoint Africa that she mainly uses YouTube for religious content but would consider Mixlr if it made audio streaming simpler. Platforms like Masjid Umar Live, Hikmah Institute, and Daarut Tawheed have already hopped on Mixlr to stream Islamic teachings.

So, what makes Mixlr the go-to platform for Nigerian churches? Why did they choose it over other streaming options? Find out in Delight’s latest for Techpoint Africa.

Shuttlers adds CNG buses to its fleet

Shuttlers, a Nigerian mobility startup, is going greener by adding Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to its fleet to make “a real impact.” In the first quarter of 2025, the company rolled out 20 new CNG-powered vehicles, completing 1,484 trips in just three months.

Ever since the fuel subsidy removal in 2023 sent petrol prices skyrocketing by 200%, CNG has been getting a lot of attention. It’s way cheaper at ₦230 per litre and lasts longer than petrol, making it an attractive alternative. The Nigerian government even introduced conversion payment plans, a CNG app, and pledged 2,000 CNG-powered tricycles to push adoption forward.

But not everyone is convinced. Safety concerns remain, with reports of explosions in some converted CNG vehicles. Damilola Olokesusi, Shuttlers’ CEO and Co-founder, however, assures that Shuttlers’ CNG canisters are fireproof and come with automatic fire extinguishers that activate instantly in case of a fire. The company also runs regular safety checks to keep things in top shape.

Shuttlers started in Lagos back in 2016 to tackle the city’s chaotic transport system. Since then, it has expanded into other cities, raised $5.6 million, and become a top pick for corporate workers looking for a better commuting experience.

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