Telecoms
From telco data wars, to 5G, Techpoint Africa brings you the latest update on connectivity, telecom companies, Internet service providers, Internet infrastructure among others.
Top stories
After selling 25% of its stake in Safaricom in 2008, Kenya wants to sell more of what’s left of its 35% as part of efforts to raise over $1 billion in the 2025/26 fiscal year, continuing its privatisation agenda.
South Africa considers easing telecom rules for Starlink, raising concerns over policy integrity as it courts US favour and faces pressure to modernise rural Internet access.
Vodacom is investing R20bn to expand 5G and rural coverage in South Africa, aiming to boost digital inclusion and power the continent’s digital economy under its Vision 2030 strategy.
Blue Label wants to list Cell C on the JSE in a push to revive the troubled telco. A debt-to-equity swap, asset transfers, and new ownership structures are at the heart of this financial reset.
Airtel Africa is launching a $55m share buyback after a major profit recovery, signalling investor confidence despite IPO delays.
Strong growth in Nigeria and Ghana helped MTN Group post a 33% profit surge in Q1 2025, with rising data and fintech revenues powering performance in both key markets.
Safaricom posts an 11% profit jump to $540 million, with reduced Ethiopia losses and strong Kenyan growth.
Safaricom is exploring satellite partnerships as competition with Starlink grows, signalling a shift in Kenya’s internet market and pushing for regulatory reforms.
Airtel Africa processed $145 billion in mobile money transactions in FY 2025. Despite currency challenges, the company posted strong gains, boosting its full-year profit to $328 million.
CSCS and MTN have partnered to launch *7270#, a USSD code that lets users check and manage investments without internet access, boosting financial inclusion nationwide.
MTN Nigeria posts ₦133.7bn profit in Q1 2025, ending a losing streak since 2023. Growth in data and digital services, plus Naira stability, fuel its recovery.
Last week, Legend Internet became the first Nigerian broadband firm to list on the NGX, floating 2B shares at ₦5.64 each and announcing plans to raise ₦150B to expand high-speed internet access nationwide.
Maroc Telecom’s Q1 2025 profit fell 5.9% due to regulatory fines and rising costs, reflecting broader challenges for Africa’s telecom sector amid currency pressures and infrastructure demands.
Djibouti’s strategic location has seen it pour investments worth about $200 million into submarine cables. Now it’s positioning itself as East Africa’s digital gateway.
MTN Group has confirmed a cybersecurity breach affecting customer data in some of its African markets. While core systems remain secure, the incident raises fresh concerns about data protection across the continent’s growing digital economy.
SADC plans to implement uniform mobile roaming charges, aiming to reduce cross-border costs, benefit consumers, and enhance regional connectivity.
MTN Group has reshuffled its leadership in East Africa. The move is part of MTN’s Ambition 2025 strategy to deepen its platform and fintech growth across Africa.
Niger State has waived Right of Way fees to boost broadband access in rural areas, aligning with Nigeria’s digital goals and encouraging telecom investment for inclusive growth.
Vodacom has backed ICASA’s decision to block Starlink in South Africa, citing the importance of BEE laws requiring 30% black ownership for telecom operators.
Starlink has secured a 10-year license to operate in Lesotho, boosting rural internet access while regulatory hurdles continue to block its entry into South Africa.