Partner programme unlocks growth for niche ISPs. (Image source: Vox)

Andre Eksteen, senior product manager – FTTB at Vox, highlights how niche internet service providers (ISPs) in South Africa play a critical role in delivering connectivity to underserved areas

Yet, their growth is often constrained by the high capital investment required to build and maintain complex network infrastructure. To address this challenge, Vox, one of South Africa’s leading internet and communications companies, has launched the Vox Partner Programme, allowing ISPs to leverage Vox’s extensive network infrastructure, peering agreements, technical expertise, and operational support while they focus on delivering exceptional service to their customers.

Smaller ISPs provide reliable broadband and voice services in areas often overlooked by larger providers. However, they face multiple barriers, including limited economies of scale, infrastructure investment challenges, and the absence of long-standing vendor relationships. These hurdles make it difficult for new and mid-sized players to compete effectively.

ISPs must secure high-quality network equipment, implement Business Support Systems (BSS) and Operations Support Systems (OSS), and build skilled technical teams to manage complex networks. They also contend with high interconnect costs and the need to negotiate peering and caching agreements with major technology companies such as Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Netflix. Many of these agreements include minimum capacity thresholds, which can be cost-prohibitive for smaller providers.

Modern customers expect comprehensive solutions that combine multiple access technologies such as fibre, wireless, and satellite with voice and PBX functionality, delivered with reliability and speed. Meeting these demands is often impossible for niche ISPs, making it challenging to thrive in the market.

Expand without the heavy lifting: Vox partner programme

The Vox Partner Programme enables ISPs to overcome these challenges by leveraging Vox’s experience in building and managing network infrastructure, delivering broadband and voice services to hundreds of thousands of customers nationwide, and providing access to commercial partnerships with a wide range of access providers.

Key benefits for small and mid-sized ISPs include:

Seamless integration with flexible topologies: Vox adapts to each ISP’s setup, offering multiple connection options including point-to-point, ring, or mesh configurations to minimise disruption.

Premium infrastructure and expertise:

ISPs gain cost-effective access to carrier-grade routers, switches, and skilled technicians without overinvesting in scale. This allows them to focus on customer acquisition and service excellence.

Ecosystem partnerships:

ISPs can leverage Vox’s commercial agreements to access 10 FTTB networks, 18 FTTH networks, and 6 WTTB networks. They can also bypass minimum requirements and secure peering and caching with global platforms like Google and Netflix at manageable volumes.

Tailored services: Modular, scalable offerings from wholesale bandwidth to advanced voice solutions enable ISPs to grow at their own pace while delivering high uptime and low-latency performance to customers.

The Partner Programme is designed specifically for emerging and mid-sized ISPs ready to expand without the heavy lifting. Vox takes on the fixed costs, network management, upstream relationships, and operational complexities, freeing ISPs to focus on their unique value proposition. This approach enables smart, sustainable growth for providers of all sizes.

ISPs wishing to join the programme need an ECS Licence, billing and network management systems, Teraco presence, CPE installation capability, and first-line support. For national and international core network capacity, partners may use their own infrastructure or leverage Vox’s world-class backbone to deliver exceptional service.

WIOCC secures US$65mn financing expansion Africa. (Image source: WIOCC)

WIOCC Group, a leading open-access digital infrastructure provider in Africa, has secured an additional US$65mn in debt financing, marking another milestone in its continental expansion strategy

The new facility has been arranged through sustainability-linked debt financing with support from IFC, Proparco, Emerging Africa Infrastructure and Asia Infrastructure Fund and Ninety-One. The funding will be used to expand WIOCC Group’s connectivity capacity and strengthen its digital infrastructure footprint across Africa.

Commenting on the development, Samuel Ndungu, chief financial officer of WIOCC Group, said, “This new financing underscores the continued confidence of our development finance partners in WIOCC Group’s long-term growth strategy and our role in driving Africa’s digital transformation. The additional capital enables us to further scale our network infrastructure, extend our data centre footprint and enhance the resilience and capacity of our pan-African digital ecosystem. Through this, we remain steadfast in our commitment to enabling digital inclusion and making an enduring contribution to the development of Africa’s digital economy.”

Chris Wood, CEO of WIOCC Group, highlighted the strategic importance of the funding, stating, “This additional financing represents another significant step forward in advancing the resilient, scalable and open-access digital infrastructure required to support Africa’s growth. It strengthens our ability to execute on our long-term vision, expand our hyperscale network and data centre footprint, and continue building the continent’s most open, interconnected digital ecosystem. We are grateful for the continued confidence of our funding partners and remain fully committed to supporting the growth, innovation and digital inclusion that will shape Africa’s future.”

Sarvesh Suri, IFC Regional Industry Director for Infrastructure and Natural Resources in Africa, stated, “IFC is proud to deepen its long-standing partnership with WIOCC Group as they scale Africa’s digital infrastructure. Through a blend of USD and ZAR financing, we are supporting WIOCC in optimizing its capital structure, mitigating currency risk, and accelerating investments in resilient, open-access networks. This commitment reflects our strategy to expand connectivity and data center capacity across the continent—advancing digital inclusion to drive job creation and economic growth.”

Puleng Pitso, Investment Specialist at Ninety-One and fund manager for Emerging Africa Infrastructure and Asia Infrastructure Fund, noted: “Digital connectivity is one of the most powerful enablers of economic growth in Africa. By expanding access to high-speed internet, we are unlocking opportunities for entrepreneurs, small businesses, and industries to thrive in the digital economy. Emerging Africa Infrastructure and Asia Infrastructure Fund and Ninety One’s investment in WIOCC will help strengthen the foundations for inclusive growth, job creation, and innovation across the continent.”

Françoise Lombard, CEO of Proparco, said, “The AFD Group has been supporting WIOCC since its inception back in 2007. Proparco is very proud to reinforce the long-standing partnership with this flagship African player at a time when it has successfully evolved into a diversified digital infrastructure platform. By supporting WIOCC’s expansion across terrestrial fiber, submarine cables and open-access data centers, Proparco is helping strengthen a leading network that carries an important part of Africa’s internet traffic. This new financing, arranged alongside IFC and Ninety-One, will contribute to accelerating resilient, energy-efficient connectivity solutions in markets where reliable digital services are essential for economic transformation.”

BBI is tasked with expanding the country’s broadband infrastructure. (Image source: Huawei)

South Africa’s national broadband infrastructure company, Broadband Infraco (BBI), has partnered with Huawei to develop a nationwide intelligent all-optical backbone network

This strategic initiative directly supports South Africa’s national broadband strategy, SA Connect, and aims to provide affordable, stable, and high-quality broadband access for all citizens.

As a state-owned enterprise under the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT), BBI is tasked with expanding the country’s broadband infrastructure. The backbone upgrade forms part of BBI’s broader Backbone Network Expansion Strategy, designed to extend ICT infrastructure across the nation, reduce urban-rural connectivity gaps, and align South Africa’s broadband capabilities with industrialised nations.

BBI is leveraging Huawei’s Optical Cross-Connect (OXC) technology to deliver high-speed, flexible transmission using 800G wavelengths across its network. This advanced capability will facilitate the expansion of broadband access networks under SA Connect, enabling real-time transfer of massive data volumes between cities and data centers. The backbone will power applications in healthcare, education, e-commerce, and e-government, further driving the growth of South Africa’s digital economy.

To date, BBI’s intelligent all-optical network, combined with collaborations with local service providers, has connected over 13,000 public Wi-Fi hotspots and more than 2 million rural homes, particularly in underdeveloped regions. The network will also support South Africa’s new optical fibre route linking Johannesburg to the Kopfontein border, enhancing high-speed cross-border connectivity across the SADC region. The full backbone will span all nine provinces and extend to the borders with Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe, providing wide regional access.

Gift Zowa, CEO of Broadband Infraco, said, “We are bridging the digital divide on two fronts, closing the digital inequality gap at home and narrowing the gap between South Africa and the world's most industrialised nations. We are addressing one of SA Connect's primary goals, the DCDT's flagship broadband connectivity project, to make connectivity inclusive and bring stable, high-capacity broadband to all South African communities and government facilities by 2030.”

Huawei will continue to work with Broadband Infraco to expand South Africa’s national broadband infrastructure, fostering a connected, intelligent, and prosperous society where every South African can participate in the digital future.

2Africa west subsea cable goes Live

2Africa West marks the fulfilment of Bayobab’s vision for a more connected Africa. As a proud MTN Group Company, Bayobab is honoured to be the first to activate this groundbreaking route.

2Africa West provides high-speed, low-latency connectivity to markets along Africa’s western coast, supporting a fair and inclusive digital transformation

A continent connected

2Africa West is part of the larger 2Africa system, the world’s longest subsea cable, spanning 45,000 km and linking 33 countries across Africa, Europe, and Asia. The western segment extends this global network into critical African markets, connecting Yzerfontein and Duynefontein in South Africa; Lagos and Kwa Ibo in Nigeria; Accra in Ghana; and Abidjan in Côte d’Ivoire. The cable also reaches landings in the Republic of Congo and continues to Portugal and the UK. With landings in these strategic markets, Bayobab has invested in the highest number of 2Africa landing sites of any service provider on the continent, reinforcing its leadership in subsea infrastructure. Each landing enhances regional connectivity, linking customers to major data centres and terrestrial networks, and provides redundancy to deliver uninterrupted service to hyperscalers, mobile network operators, internet service providers, and others.

Built for scale and speed

2Africa West has been designed to meet Africa’s growing digital demands, supporting high-bandwidth applications. Bayobab can offer customised capacity solutions for customers requiring scale. This low-latency infrastructure provides the foundation for cloud computing and AI, ensuring long-term growth and future scalability. The cable’s burial depth has been increased by 50% compared with previous systems, while the route avoids high-risk areas to maximise reliability and availability.

Open access, shared opportunity

As with the wider 2Africa network, Bayobab provides capacity on an open-access, carrier-neutral basis. Service providers can acquire capacity through carrier-neutral data centres or open-access cable landing stations along the system. By eliminating exclusivity, 2Africa West encourages collaboration, expands opportunities for African operators, and promotes competitive pricing. Bayobab’s partnerships extend globally, allowing connections to additional systems along the east coast and beyond. This enables customers to access a pan-African network capable of linking both coasts on a single infrastructure.

Empowering a digital ecosystem

2Africa West is a cornerstone of Africa’s digital future. By expanding access to high-speed, high-capacity connectivity, Bayobab supports the deployment of 4G and 5G networks and drives innovation in sectors such as fintech and e-commerce. It enables governments, businesses, and communities to engage fully in the digital economy. The launch symbolises African unity and global progress. From South Africa to Côte d’Ivoire and beyond, the western route connects millions through resilient digital infrastructure, ready to power Africa’s next chapter of growth.