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.

Infinity Wireless and Frogfoot will work together to ensure fibre service delivery remains exceptional

Frogfoot has acquired the fibre network assets of Infinity Wireless (Pty) Ltd in Rustenburg, which will now be integrated into Frogfoot’s national infrastructure

This move expands the company’s footprint in the North West province, strengthening its presence in a key regional market, with the transition officially commencing on 1 November 2025.

Infinity Wireless currently manages and supports the network in the area, and over the next 12 months, it will transition into Frogfoot’s national operating model. Infinity will continue functioning as an ISP on the network, and their customers will remain Infinity customers throughout the process, with no action required on their part. This ensures complete continuity, with no service disruption.

“This is an exciting acquisition that reflects our commitment to regional growth and network investment,” commented Richard Henn, head of mergers and acquisitions at Frogfoot Networks. “Rustenburg is a thriving community, and this move allows us to bring the benefits of our national customer support systems, long-term infrastructure investment and product speed upgrades to existing Infinity Wireless customers. We are particularly pleased to be able to continue working closely with the Koen brothers, who founded this impressive business. We are partner-centric and could not have hoped for better people to join hands with on this journey.”

“We are delighted to be part of this process and to see the fibre segment of our network transition into the Frogfoot ecosystem,” says JJ Koen. “Frogfoot has the scale, technical resources and national presence needed to continue delivering value to customers in Rustenburg. This decision supports the long-term stability of the network and the community we serve.”

Frogfoot’s ongoing investment and focus on expanding coverage play a pivotal role in strengthening regional connectivity. Customers will benefit not only from the company’s extensive network investment but also from access to a wider selection of ISPs once the transition is complete.

Throughout the migration, Infinity Wireless and Frogfoot will work together to ensure fibre service delivery remains exceptional. Upon completion, customers will gain access to an expanded range of ISP options via the Frogfoot platform.

Microsoft exceeds its 2025 connectivity target and partners with AfDB to accelerate digital and agricultural transformation across Africa

During the B20 South Africa Summit last week, Microsoft revealed that it has now connected more than 117 million people in Africa to the internet, surpassing its original 2025 goal

The company also announced a new partnership with the African Development Bank to strengthen small and medium enterprises in the agriculture sector through a combination of financing support and technological solutions.

Bridging the digital divide

Microsoft’s expanded connectivity efforts stem from a commitment made in 2022 to broaden internet access and provide digital skills training across Africa. The achievement was made possible through collaborations with regional Internet Service Providers, hardware manufacturers, and global development organisations. This milestone marks a significant leap forward in narrowing Africa’s digital divide and advancing inclusive socioeconomic development.

“Connectivity is a key enabler for AI adoption and inclusive growth,” Melanie Nakagawa, chief sustainability officer, Microsoft said. “Without access to the internet, the promise of technology remains out of reach. To meaningfully participate in this moment of transformation, we must also empower people with the skills to use these digital tools.”

Microsoft plans to integrate increased connectivity with AI-powered solutions designed to advance economic opportunities. Expanded internet access has already delivered tangible improvements: enhanced patient care through video consultations in rural Kenya, more affordable devices and youth gaming hubs in South Africa, and high-speed broadband paired with free public Wi-Fi to support community learning and local business engagement.

Transforming African agriculture through digital innovation

Microsoft also confirmed its support for the African Development Bank’s creation of a continent-wide financing mechanism dedicated to agricultural SMEs. This fund will merge financial resources with improved digital infrastructure to strengthen productivity and enhance climate resilience, leveraging both Microsoft’s technology capabilities and AfDB’s financial expertise.

Digital connectivity, paired with AI tools, is positioned as a catalyst for growth, resilience and broader participation across African economies. Microsoft noted that the continent’s growing digital ecosystem — together with the launch of the AfDB Financing Agribusiness SME Trust Fund — illustrates how coordinated financial and technological efforts can scale solutions. As the company emphasized, no single organization can eliminate the digital divide or fully unlock AI-driven opportunity on its own.