In The Spotlight
Kaspersky and Smart Africa collaborate to enhance cybersecurity skills, policies, and infrastructure, strengthening Africa’s digital security landscape. (Image source: Kaspersky)
In a strategic move to bolster Africa’s digital security, Kaspersky has signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Smart Africa
This agreement marks a significant step toward expanding cybersecurity capabilities across the continent through collaborative initiatives.
A core aspect of this partnership is cybersecurity skills development, with training programs led by the Kaspersky Academy. Founded in 2010, the Academy aims to provide top-tier cybersecurity education to foster a safer digital world. Additionally, the initiative seeks to bridge gender gaps by supporting programs that empower women and girls in cybersecurity, STEM, and ICT. This aligns with Kaspersky’s ongoing efforts to encourage more female participation in the IT sector.
Beyond skills development, the collaboration prioritises policy standardisation, bringing together stakeholders to create harmonised regional and national cybersecurity frameworks. This includes law enforcement agencies, industry leaders, cybersecurity authorities, and emergency response teams, ensuring a cohesive and comprehensive approach to digital security.
The partnership also aims to reinforce Africa’s technological defenses by establishing critical cybersecurity infrastructure. This includes security operations centers (SOCs), emergency response teams, and expert technical support to mitigate cyber threats.
Lacina Koné, CEO of Smart Africa, emphasised, “This MoU marks a significant milestone in our quest to secure Africa’s digital future. By joining forces with Kaspersky, we are not only building essential cybersecurity skills and bridging the gender gap but also setting the stage for robust regional cooperation and state-of-the-art cyber infrastructure.”
Eugene Kaspersky, founder and CEO of Kaspersky, added, “Our strategic partnership with Smart Africa is designed to help create a more secure cyberspace across the continent and beyond. We see this initiative as a commitment to empowering both individual users and organisations to ensure that everyone can navigate the digital world safely and with confidence.”
This partnership reinforces Kaspersky’s dedication to strengthening global cyber resilience through strategic collaborations. It also complements the African Network of Cybersecurity Authorities (ANCA)—a Smart Africa initiative designed to unite cybersecurity agencies across Africa to combat cyber threats.
With Smart Africa’s mission to build a secure, inclusive, and digitally empowered continent, this collaboration is set to tackle evolving cyber challenges and position Africa as a leader in digital security innovation.
This strategic collaboration focuses on providing broadband Internet access to remote areas, helping to bridge the digital divide in the region. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
Orange Africa and Middle East (OMEA) has joined forces with Eutelsat to enhance digital inclusion across Africa and the Middle East through satellite connectivity
This strategic collaboration focuses on providing broadband Internet access to remote areas, helping to bridge the digital divide in the region.
Under this multi-year agreement, Orange will leverage the advanced capabilities of the EUTELSAT KONNECT satellite to deliver reliable and high-speed Internet services. The initial rollout will cover Jordan, Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, with plans for gradual expansion to additional countries in the region.
Connectivity revolution?
By combining Orange’s extensive telecommunications expertise with Eutelsat’s cutting-edge satellite technology, the partnership will offer secure, high-performance connectivity tailored to both individual consumers (B2C) and businesses (B2B). The integration of satellite, fixed, and mobile technologies will help connect underserved areas and address the increasing demand for Internet services.
The collaboration will enable broadband speeds of up to 100 Mbps, and with Orange’s infrastructure, it will:
- Extend coverage to rural and underserved locations.
- Provide tailored connectivity solutions for individuals and businesses.
- Ensure secure, high-quality Internet access while adhering to national regulatory frameworks.
This initiative aligns with Orange’s long-term commitment to supporting digital transformation in the regions where it operates, utilising the most advanced technologies while fostering local ecosystems and complying with national regulations.
Jérôme Hénique, CEO of Orange Africa and Middle East, emphasised, “This partnership illustrates our commitment to connecting all territories and bridging the digital divide in Africa and the Middle East.
Today, Orange serves more than 160 million customers in the region, and is pursuing its ambition to provide digital access for all. Drawing on our expertise and local roots, we are positioning ourselves as a key player in supporting evolving customer expectations, while guaranteeing sustainable connectivity that respects local legislation.”
Michael Trabbia, CEO of Orange Wholesale, highlighted, “I am delighted with this strategic partnership between the Orange Group and Eutelsat Group, which is part of a long-term relationship. It is part of our strategy to offer our customers the best satellite connectivity solutions in high and low orbit, complementing our terrestrial networks. Orange Wholesale's satellite factory has all the expertise required to implement this strategy for all Orange Group entities. We also offer satellite operators the terrestrial connectivity solutions they need, such as teleports or long-distance fiber.”
Cyril Dujardin, president of the connectivity business unit at Eutelsat, added, “Our satellite technology including GEO capacity, combined with Orange's local footprint, brings connectivity where it's needed most. Together, we're creating a robust solution to accessibility challenges, providing reliable and affordable connectivity for consumers and businesses alike.”
Network International and Airtel Money partner to roll out digital payment solutions across Africa, starting with Uganda and expanding in 2025. (Image source: Network International)
Network International, a key player in digital commerce across the Middle East and Africa, has partnered with Airtel Money to introduce digital payment solutions across major African markets, starting with Uganda
Additional rollouts are planned for the rest of Africa and Francophone nations in 2025.
Under this collaboration, Network will support Airtel Money with transaction processing, card management, fraud prevention, API sandbox, reconciliation and settlement, and online access for users.
Transforming payment ecosystems
Dr Reda Helal, group managing director – Processing, Africa and Co-Head Group Processing at Network International, stated, “We aim to cover significant ground on our Airtel rollouts this year after going live in Uganda and make greater strides for our outsourced payments services in Africa. We are excited to add value to Airtel’s capabilities, continue driving the success of Mobile Network Operators, and contribute to financial inclusion across the continent.”
Ian Ferrao, group CEO, Airtel Money - Airtel Africa PLC Airtel Group, added, “We are delighted with this major milestone in our partnership and are eager to keep on innovating and elevating our customer experiences with the support of Network’s digital payments expertise. Together, we will pave the way for more citizens to gain access to the continent's growing digital economy.”
Network International offers a broad range of payment technology solutions for merchants and financial institutions, covering acquiring, processing, and value-added services. Operating in 50 MEA countries, it serves over 40 African markets.
Airtel operates telecom and mobile money services in 14 African countries, primarily in Central and West Africa. The company has a customer base exceeding 140 million, including nearly 60 million data users and over 36 million Airtel Money customers.
Airtel Africa pledges to train 25,000 Nigerian youth in digital skills and offers 10 tech scholarships, supporting the country’s digital transformation. (Image source: Airtel Africa)
Airtel Africa, a major telecommunications and mobile money services provider operating in 14 African countries, has pledged to train 25,000 Nigerian youth in digital and technology skills across 80 local government areas
This initiative falls under the 3 Million Technical Talents (3MTT) programme, a presidential mandate aimed at equipping young Nigerians with essential digital expertise.
Empowering Nigeria's youth
Additionally, Airtel Africa has announced 10 scholarships for Nigerian students to pursue technology-focused courses at Plaksha University in India through the Airtel Africa Fellowship. Managed by the Airtel Africa Foundation, these scholarships aim to bridge the technology talent gap and support Nigeria’s goal of becoming a global tech hub.
The commitments were unveiled during a meeting between Airtel Africa chairman, Sunil Bharti Mittal, KBE, and CEO, Sunil Taldar, with Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the State House in Abuja. Discussions also covered Airtel Africa’s continued investments in Nigeria’s telecommunications and digital economy.
Sunil Bharti Mittal stated, "Nigeria remains a strategic market for Airtel Africa, and we are fully committed to support the government’s digital transformation agenda. Through initiatives like the Airtel Africa Fellowship and our investment in 3MTT, we are ensuring that the youth of Nigeria have access to world-class education and digital skills. We commend President Tinubu’s vision for a technologically advanced Nigeria and are committed to play our part in making that vision a reality.”
Airtel Africa also highlighted its ongoing efforts through the Airtel-UNICEF Reimagine Education Programme, which has already integrated 1,260 schools and over 600,000 students into digital learning platforms like the Nigerian Learning Passport (NLP).
The company reaffirmed its commitment to network expansion, service quality, and financial inclusion. It also welcomed the designation of telecom infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII), recognising its importance in securing and enhancing Nigeria’s digital framework.
Sunil Taldar emphasised Airtel Africa’s dedication to Nigeria’s digital future, "Airtel is deeply invested in Nigeria’s digital future. We are expanding our network, driving financial inclusion, and creating opportunities for the people of Nigeria through technology and innovation. Our collaboration with the government through initiatives like the Airtel Africa Fellowship and 3MTT ensures that Nigeria remains at the forefront of Africa’s digital revolution.”
Airtel Africa remains steadfast in its collaboration with the Nigerian government and key stakeholders to enhance connectivity, develop digital skills, and drive financial inclusion—strengthening Nigeria’s leadership in Africa’s digital economy.
NAPAfrica reaches 5Tbps, reinforcing its role as Africa’s leading IXP, improving local traffic, reducing costs, and boosting performance. (
NAPAfrica, backed by its robust peering community, has achieved a significant milestone—hitting five terabits per second (Tbps) of traffic
As Africa’s fastest-growing Internet Exchange Point (IXP) and one of the top ten globally in terms of total traffic volume, NAPAfrica continues to solidify its position as the leading hub for peering and interconnection on the continent.
With more than 655 networks peering at its exchange points, NAPAfrica plays a vital role in keeping African internet traffic local, reducing operational costs, and improving overall network performance.
NAPAfrica’s Key Traffic Milestones
- 2016: Traffic reached 100Gbps
- 2018: Traffic hit 500Gbps
- 2021: Traffic surged to 2Tbps
- 2023: Traffic surpassed 4Tbps
- February 2025: Traffic climbed to 5Tbps
Current NAPAfrica Statistics
- Physical connected ports: 2,244
- Total connected capacity: 41.5Tbits
Top ten factors driving NAPAfrica’s growth
1. Strategic locations in South Africa
NAPAfrica operates in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban—three key hubs for internet traffic in Africa. These locations serve as essential interconnection points for regional and global networks.
2. Teraco Data Centres
NAPAfrica is hosted within Teraco data centres, the largest carrier- and vendor-neutral data centre operator in Africa. This setup provides direct interconnection with over 655 networks, including ISPs, CDNs, cloud providers, and enterprises, ensuring a seamless and cost-effective peering experience.
3. Presence of leading content and cloud providers
The exchange attracts major global tech companies such as Akamai, Amazon, Cloudflare, Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Netflix, enabling direct content delivery and cloud access within Africa.
To further enhance connectivity, Teraco and NAPAfrica have invested in additional cache servers, addressing regional content needs. For instance, Netflix Open Connect is now hosted in Cape Town and Durban, reducing data travel distances, improving load times, and making the platform even more appealing to new peers.
4. Free peering and cost efficiency
Unlike many international IXPs that charge for port access, NAPAfrica offers free peering. This allows ISPs, content providers, and enterprises to reduce transit costs while enhancing network performance.
5. Expansion of the peering community
Over the past year, NAPAfrica has welcomed more than 40 new peers, including leading companies like Mimecast, Fortinet, and Tencent. This growth has strengthened the peering ecosystem, increasing the efficiency of traffic exchange.
6. Introduction of 400Gbps interconnection options
In a first for Africa, NAPAfrica now offers 400Gbps interconnects to accommodate the increasing bandwidth needs of content and cloud service providers.
7. Growth of local and regional networks
Traditionally, much of Africa’s internet traffic was routed through Europe, leading to higher latency and costs. NAPAfrica has helped keep this traffic within Africa, enhancing performance for ISPs, mobile operators, and businesses while contributing to a more self-sustaining internet ecosystem on the continent.
8. Strengthened subsea cable connectivity
South Africa’s status as a key landing point for subsea cables—including 2Africa, ACE, EASSy, Equiano, METISS, SAT3/SAFE, Seacom, and WACS—has significantly boosted international connectivity. Many networks across Southern, East, and West Africa peer at NAPAfrica to efficiently access global content.
9. Surge in mobile and broadband internet usage
With rapid growth in mobile internet and fibre broadband adoption across Africa, ISPs and mobile operators increasingly depend on NAPAfrica to support rising demand for video streaming, gaming, and cloud-based services.
10. Enhanced Network Visibility and Performance Optimization
NAPAfrica’s integration of the Kentik Network Observability platform gives peering members valuable insights into network performance. This allows them to optimise traffic flows, detect potential issues, and enhance overall efficiency.
Driving Africa’s digital future
As Africa’s digital ecosystem continues to expand, NAPAfrica remains at the forefront of connectivity, providing critical infrastructure to power the continent’s digital transformation. With ongoing growth and development, the exchange is set to play an even greater role in shaping Africa’s internet economy.
Also read: Powering up esports with new alliancePowering up esports with new alliance
Flutterwave is a trusted payments provider for businesses across Africa. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
Flutterwave, a top payments technology company in Africa, has secured a Payment System License to operate in Zambia
With this license, Flutterwave can now offer secure and affordable mobile money services to businesses in Zambia, supporting both domestic and international trade while driving financial inclusion and economic progress.
Zambia represents a significant growth opportunity for Flutterwave, given its increasing internet penetration and high dependence on mobile money for daily transactions. Mobile money services contribute nearly 70% to the country’s financial inclusion rate. Through its mobile money collection and payout solutions, Flutterwave enables businesses across various sectors to simplify payments, cut transaction costs, and scale operations both locally and globally.
Flutterwave's next move?
“Zambia is a market with enormous potential for growth and innovation, so we are excited to bring our payment solutions here,” said Olugbenga ‘GB’ Agboola, founder and CEO of Flutterwave. “Our goal is to provide businesses across the entire African region with the tools they need to compete not just locally but globally. Flutterwave’s infrastructure now stretches across the majority of Africa, and with our new license in Zambia, we are one step closer to achieving our mission. At Flutterwave, we believe that by simplifying payments, we can unlock new opportunities for businesses in Zambia and contribute to the country’s broader economic development.”
For global companies entering Zambia, Flutterwave provides a reliable payment gateway, ensuring smooth local transactions and supporting a variety of payments, from consumer purchases to business-to-business transactions. Similarly, Zambian businesses looking to expand internationally can use Flutterwave’s cross-border payment solutions to collect payments from customers abroad and seamlessly engage in global trade.
“Acquiring the Payment System License in Zambia is a crucial step in our Pan-African expansion strategy,” said Oluwabankole Falade, chief regulatory officer at Flutterwave. “This license allows us to not only support Zambian businesses in growing and competing globally but also to ensure that our operations are in full compliance with local regulations. We are deeply grateful to the Bank of Zambia for their trust and for the opportunity to work within Zambia's financial ecosystem. We are committed to collaborating closely with the Bank of Zambia and other regulatory bodies to promote financial innovation and drive economic growth.”
Having established a presence in over 30 countries, Flutterwave is a trusted payments provider for businesses across Africa. Its entry into Zambia reaffirms its commitment to strengthening African enterprises and promoting economic development through digital payment solutions.
Also read: Flutterwave wins payments award
Mombasa is experiencing rapid interconnection growth and is among Africa’s most globally connected locations. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
The London Internet Exchange (LINX) has officially launched LINX Mombasa, a new interconnection hub designed to enhance digital connectivity in Africa
Located within iColo’s MBA1 and MBA2 data centres, LINX Mombasa is a multi-site, interconnected Internet Exchange Point (IXP). It provides a resilient, future-ready platform for networks to exchange traffic efficiently, reducing latency and improving overall performance. This peering model ensures data remains closer to end users, offering greater control and reliability.
Strengthening Africa’s digital infrastructure
Mombasa is experiencing rapid interconnection growth and is among Africa’s most globally connected locations. The city is linked to seven submarine cables that connect Kenya to Africa’s coastline, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia.
Following the successful launch of LINX Nairobi, this expansion marks LINX’s continued commitment to supporting African digital ecosystems. LINX Mombasa will serve both content delivery networks and local ISPs, offering an alternative interconnection point with added services on a robust and redundant network.
Nurani Nimpuno, LINX head of global engagement, stated, "We are thrilled to be extending our synergies with iColo with whom we have had a successful journey at LINX Nairobi. We were seeing a demand for LINX services in Mombasa when we came to Kenya, and I am very pleased we can now start delivering the same value here.”
LINX is the first IXP to establish a presence in both Nairobi and Mombasa. Its technical infrastructure mirrors that of LINX Nairobi, incorporating Nokia switches for seamless connectivity.
Ranjith Cherickel, founder & CEO of iColo, added, "We are delighted to host LINX Mombasa at our highly connected data centre facilities; MBA1 and MBA2. This collaboration underscores our commitment to providing best-in-class infrastructure and services that drive digital transformation in Africa. The new IXP will create significant opportunities for partnerships, innovation, and growth in the region.”
With the addition of LINX Mombasa, peering traffic in the region is set to rise, reinforcing Mombasa’s status as the Gateway to East Africa.
Also read: MTN pioneers eSIM technology in South Sudan
Airtel Africa pledges to train 25,000 Nigerian youth in digital skills and offers 10 tech scholarships, supporting the country’s digital transformation. (Image source: Airtel Africa)
Airtel Africa, a major telecommunications and mobile money services provider operating in 14 African countries, has pledged to train 25,000 Nigerian youth in digital and technology skills across 80 local government areas
This initiative falls under the 3 Million Technical Talents (3MTT) programme, a presidential mandate aimed at equipping young Nigerians with essential digital expertise.
Empowering Nigeria's youth
Additionally, Airtel Africa has announced 10 scholarships for Nigerian students to pursue technology-focused courses at Plaksha University in India through the Airtel Africa Fellowship. Managed by the Airtel Africa Foundation, these scholarships aim to bridge the technology talent gap and support Nigeria’s goal of becoming a global tech hub.
The commitments were unveiled during a meeting between Airtel Africa chairman, Sunil Bharti Mittal, KBE, and CEO, Sunil Taldar, with Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the State House in Abuja. Discussions also covered Airtel Africa’s continued investments in Nigeria’s telecommunications and digital economy.
Sunil Bharti Mittal stated, "Nigeria remains a strategic market for Airtel Africa, and we are fully committed to support the government’s digital transformation agenda. Through initiatives like the Airtel Africa Fellowship and our investment in 3MTT, we are ensuring that the youth of Nigeria have access to world-class education and digital skills. We commend President Tinubu’s vision for a technologically advanced Nigeria and are committed to play our part in making that vision a reality.”
Airtel Africa also highlighted its ongoing efforts through the Airtel-UNICEF Reimagine Education Programme, which has already integrated 1,260 schools and over 600,000 students into digital learning platforms like the Nigerian Learning Passport (NLP).
The company reaffirmed its commitment to network expansion, service quality, and financial inclusion. It also welcomed the designation of telecom infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII), recognising its importance in securing and enhancing Nigeria’s digital framework.
Sunil Taldar emphasised Airtel Africa’s dedication to Nigeria’s digital future, "Airtel is deeply invested in Nigeria’s digital future. We are expanding our network, driving financial inclusion, and creating opportunities for the people of Nigeria through technology and innovation. Our collaboration with the government through initiatives like the Airtel Africa Fellowship and 3MTT ensures that Nigeria remains at the forefront of Africa’s digital revolution.”
Airtel Africa remains steadfast in its collaboration with the Nigerian government and key stakeholders to enhance connectivity, develop digital skills, and drive financial inclusion—strengthening Nigeria’s leadership in Africa’s digital economy.
NAPAfrica reaches 5Tbps, reinforcing its role as Africa’s leading IXP, improving local traffic, reducing costs, and boosting performance. (
This collaboration will allow Bayobab to optimise SMS connectivity while significantly reducing administrative costs. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
By MTN South Sudan and NCA, launching eSIM technology for improved connectivity and customer experience in South Sudan’s telecom industry. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
MTN South Sudan, in partnership with the National Communications Authority (NCA), has officially rolled out electronic SIM (eSIM) technology in the country.
MTN claims to be the first operator to bring eSIM technology to South Sudan.
The NCA, as the regulatory body, has expressed its commitment to supporting MTN and other mobile providers in introducing eSIM-compatible smartphones.
"Today marks another milestone in South Sudan’s telecommunications journey. As MTN, we are proud to be the first operator in the country to launch eSIM technology. This is not just about innovation; it’s about simplifying connectivity and delivering convenience to our customers,"commented Ali Monzer, CEO of MTN South Sudan.
Napoleon Adok Gai, director general of the NCA, emphasised that eSIM technology enhances customer experience and security. He also highlighted the importance of customer support and education in this development.
Lyca Group unveils reorganisation to boost growth, expand in Africa, streamline operations, and enhance global digital capabilities. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
Nokia and Turkcell pioneer quantum-safe cryptography, securing mobile networks today and preparing for future quantum computing threats. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
This strategic collaboration focuses on providing broadband Internet access to remote areas, helping to bridge the digital divide in the region. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
Orange Africa and Middle East (OMEA) has joined forces with Eutelsat to enhance digital inclusion across Africa and the Middle East through satellite connectivity
This strategic collaboration focuses on providing broadband Internet access to remote areas, helping to bridge the digital divide in the region.
Under this multi-year agreement, Orange will leverage the advanced capabilities of the EUTELSAT KONNECT satellite to deliver reliable and high-speed Internet services. The initial rollout will cover Jordan, Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, with plans for gradual expansion to additional countries in the region.
Connectivity revolution?
By combining Orange’s extensive telecommunications expertise with Eutelsat’s cutting-edge satellite technology, the partnership will offer secure, high-performance connectivity tailored to both individual consumers (B2C) and businesses (B2B). The integration of satellite, fixed, and mobile technologies will help connect underserved areas and address the increasing demand for Internet services.
The collaboration will enable broadband speeds of up to 100 Mbps, and with Orange’s infrastructure, it will:
- Extend coverage to rural and underserved locations.
- Provide tailored connectivity solutions for individuals and businesses.
- Ensure secure, high-quality Internet access while adhering to national regulatory frameworks.
This initiative aligns with Orange’s long-term commitment to supporting digital transformation in the regions where it operates, utilising the most advanced technologies while fostering local ecosystems and complying with national regulations.
Jérôme Hénique, CEO of Orange Africa and Middle East, emphasised, “This partnership illustrates our commitment to connecting all territories and bridging the digital divide in Africa and the Middle East.
Today, Orange serves more than 160 million customers in the region, and is pursuing its ambition to provide digital access for all. Drawing on our expertise and local roots, we are positioning ourselves as a key player in supporting evolving customer expectations, while guaranteeing sustainable connectivity that respects local legislation.”
Michael Trabbia, CEO of Orange Wholesale, highlighted, “I am delighted with this strategic partnership between the Orange Group and Eutelsat Group, which is part of a long-term relationship. It is part of our strategy to offer our customers the best satellite connectivity solutions in high and low orbit, complementing our terrestrial networks. Orange Wholesale's satellite factory has all the expertise required to implement this strategy for all Orange Group entities. We also offer satellite operators the terrestrial connectivity solutions they need, such as teleports or long-distance fiber.”
Cyril Dujardin, president of the connectivity business unit at Eutelsat, added, “Our satellite technology including GEO capacity, combined with Orange's local footprint, brings connectivity where it's needed most. Together, we're creating a robust solution to accessibility challenges, providing reliable and affordable connectivity for consumers and businesses alike.”
NEC XON and Skywire deploy OneWeb satellite solution, enhancing connectivity for rural communities and remote enterprises across South Africa. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
Eutelsat resolves OneWeb LEO outage caused by a software issue, restoring services swiftly with vendor collaboration. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
Network International and Airtel Money partner to roll out digital payment solutions across Africa, starting with Uganda and expanding in 2025. (Image source: Network International)
Network International, a key player in digital commerce across the Middle East and Africa, has partnered with Airtel Money to introduce digital payment solutions across major African markets, starting with Uganda
Additional rollouts are planned for the rest of Africa and Francophone nations in 2025.
Under this collaboration, Network will support Airtel Money with transaction processing, card management, fraud prevention, API sandbox, reconciliation and settlement, and online access for users.
Transforming payment ecosystems
Dr Reda Helal, group managing director – Processing, Africa and Co-Head Group Processing at Network International, stated, “We aim to cover significant ground on our Airtel rollouts this year after going live in Uganda and make greater strides for our outsourced payments services in Africa. We are excited to add value to Airtel’s capabilities, continue driving the success of Mobile Network Operators, and contribute to financial inclusion across the continent.”
Ian Ferrao, group CEO, Airtel Money - Airtel Africa PLC Airtel Group, added, “We are delighted with this major milestone in our partnership and are eager to keep on innovating and elevating our customer experiences with the support of Network’s digital payments expertise. Together, we will pave the way for more citizens to gain access to the continent's growing digital economy.”
Network International offers a broad range of payment technology solutions for merchants and financial institutions, covering acquiring, processing, and value-added services. Operating in 50 MEA countries, it serves over 40 African markets.
Airtel operates telecom and mobile money services in 14 African countries, primarily in Central and West Africa. The company has a customer base exceeding 140 million, including nearly 60 million data users and over 36 million Airtel Money customers.
Flutterwave is a trusted payments provider for businesses across Africa. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
Flutterwave secures Cross-Border Payments Award at Africa Tech Summit 2025. (Image source: Flutterwave)
Huawei supports African TowerCos with sustainable energy solutions and diversification strategies for telecom infrastructure. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
Huawei, a global leader in ICT infrastructure and smart devices, has announced its commitment to assisting Tower Companies (TowerCos) in Africa in diversifying their energy sources and adopting sustainable energy practices for powering telecom infrastructure
This initiative aims to help TowerCos reduce their carbon emissions, improve operational efficiency, and explore new business opportunities.
During his speech, "Lighting Up the Road to Multiple Business Future for TowerCos," delivered at the TowerXchange Meetup Africa 2024 in Nairobi, Li Shaolong, president of site power facility domain at Huawei Digital Power, noted that Africa is accelerating the development of ICT infrastructure. TowerCos, as key players in this process, are facing new challenges and opportunities.
“As mobile connectivity demand rises, TowerCos are under increasing pressure to ensure energy reliability and sustainability, especially in areas with limited grid access. Tower sites, often in remote locations, depend heavily on diesel generators, which are costly, environmentally harmful, and vulnerable to fuel supply issues. Huawei’s energy solutions address these challenges by incorporating renewable energy technologies like solar power and advanced energy storage systems,” Li explained.
He emphasised Huawei's long-term commitment to helping Africa's TowerCos transition to greener energy solutions, leveraging the integration of digital and power electronics technologies. Huawei Site Power Facility aims to provide TowerCos with comprehensive energy infrastructure and intelligent operations and maintenance (O&M) solutions.
A path to diversification
In addition to energy sustainability, Huawei is supporting TowerCos in their efforts to diversify by helping them explore new business models and revenue streams.
“This will drive TowerCos to become energy producers through innovative solutions and business models, leading to diversified business development, revenue growth, and sustained success in energy operations,” Li said.
He highlighted that with Huawei's eMIMO smart power solution, TowerCos can centrally manage multiple energy inputs—such as grid power, photovoltaics (PV), and energy storage—and multiple outputs ranging from 12V to 220V devices through a single platform.
“In this way, revenue-generating services like environmental protection and emergency response can be developed alongside communications services,” he said.
Li further stated that Huawei Site Power Facility Domain's main goals are to support network evolution, increase tenancy ratios, help TowerCos reduce energy costs while achieving green development, improve power availability, and reduce site O&M costs.
“Huawei will continue collaborating with TowerCos to innovate and advance energy infrastructure towards a 'green, simple, and intelligent' future, accelerating the growth of African carrier networks and contributing to a digital Africa,” Li added.
Africa Data Centres & DPA SA pioneer solar farm for sustainable data solutions in South Africa. (Image source: African Data Centres)
Airtel Africa launches Nxtra Data Center in Lagos, advancing data sovereignty and connectivity for businesses, governments, and large corporations across Africa. (Image source: Airtel Africa)
Kaspersky and Smart Africa collaborate to enhance cybersecurity skills, policies, and infrastructure, strengthening Africa’s digital security landscape. (Image source: Kaspersky)
In a strategic move to bolster Africa’s digital security, Kaspersky has signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Smart Africa
This agreement marks a significant step toward expanding cybersecurity capabilities across the continent through collaborative initiatives.
A core aspect of this partnership is cybersecurity skills development, with training programs led by the Kaspersky Academy. Founded in 2010, the Academy aims to provide top-tier cybersecurity education to foster a safer digital world. Additionally, the initiative seeks to bridge gender gaps by supporting programs that empower women and girls in cybersecurity, STEM, and ICT. This aligns with Kaspersky’s ongoing efforts to encourage more female participation in the IT sector.
Beyond skills development, the collaboration prioritises policy standardisation, bringing together stakeholders to create harmonised regional and national cybersecurity frameworks. This includes law enforcement agencies, industry leaders, cybersecurity authorities, and emergency response teams, ensuring a cohesive and comprehensive approach to digital security.
The partnership also aims to reinforce Africa’s technological defenses by establishing critical cybersecurity infrastructure. This includes security operations centers (SOCs), emergency response teams, and expert technical support to mitigate cyber threats.
Lacina Koné, CEO of Smart Africa, emphasised, “This MoU marks a significant milestone in our quest to secure Africa’s digital future. By joining forces with Kaspersky, we are not only building essential cybersecurity skills and bridging the gender gap but also setting the stage for robust regional cooperation and state-of-the-art cyber infrastructure.”
Eugene Kaspersky, founder and CEO of Kaspersky, added, “Our strategic partnership with Smart Africa is designed to help create a more secure cyberspace across the continent and beyond. We see this initiative as a commitment to empowering both individual users and organisations to ensure that everyone can navigate the digital world safely and with confidence.”
This partnership reinforces Kaspersky’s dedication to strengthening global cyber resilience through strategic collaborations. It also complements the African Network of Cybersecurity Authorities (ANCA)—a Smart Africa initiative designed to unite cybersecurity agencies across Africa to combat cyber threats.
With Smart Africa’s mission to build a secure, inclusive, and digitally empowered continent, this collaboration is set to tackle evolving cyber challenges and position Africa as a leader in digital security innovation.
Somalia launches its first National IPv6 Center to enhance internet security, scalability, and support next-gen technologies like 5G and IoT. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
Cynoia wins Best SaaS Startup at AfricArena Summit 2024, revolutionizing African team collaboration with AI and cost-effective solutions. (Image source: Cynoia)
Most Read
Qualcomm empowers African tech startups with mentorship. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
GSMA's 2024 report reveals the transformative impact of mobile technology in Sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting key challenges and growth opportunities. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
For Ghanaian customers, this license means more efficient and secure money transfers across the country. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
Teraco’s JB7 hyperscale data centre accelerates digital transformation and sustainable interconnection across sub-Saharan Africa's cloud ecosystem. (Image source: Teraco)
OADC Texaf Digital - Kinshasa, a 2MW open-access, Tier-III data centre, boosts DRC's digital ecosystem with carrier-neutral, sustainable infrastructure. (Image source: Open Access Data Centres)
Eutelsat Group has a fleet of 35 GEO satellites and a constellation of more than 600 LEO satellites. (Image source: OneWeb)
The introduction of Network One in Nigeria aligns with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s directive for in-country transaction routing, boosting local processing capabilities. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
Siemon's new LightStack and LightStack 8 offer cutting-edge ultra-high-density fibre solutions for data centers and enterprise networks, available globally. (Image source: Siemon)
BradyVoice offers a faster, more efficient way to label. (Image source: Brady Corporation)
Nium, Ecobank partner to streamline cross-border payments, reaching 32M African customers with faster, efficient international transactions. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
Angola Cables Network traffic climbs to record peak. (Image source: Angola Cables)
iXAfrica Data Centres and Moringa School launch Kenya’s first comprehensive Data Protection course. (Image source: iX Africa)
Latest news
Kaspersky and Smart Africa collaborate to enhance cybersecurity skills, policies, and infrastructure, strengthening Africa’s digital security landscape. (Image source: Kaspersky)
This strategic collaboration focuses on providing broadband Internet access to remote areas, helping to bridge the digital divide in the region. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
Network International and Airtel Money partner to roll out digital payment solutions across Africa, starting with Uganda and expanding in 2025. (Image source: Network International)
Airtel Africa pledges to train 25,000 Nigerian youth in digital skills and offers 10 tech scholarships, supporting the country’s digital transformation. (Image source: Airtel Africa)
NAPAfrica reaches 5Tbps, reinforcing its role as Africa’s leading IXP, improving local traffic, reducing costs, and boosting performance. (
Flutterwave is a trusted payments provider for businesses across Africa. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
This collaboration will allow Bayobab to optimise SMS connectivity while significantly reducing administrative costs. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
Teraco partners with NOA to integrate wind power into its data centres, advancing its 100% renewable energy goal in South Africa. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
MTN Group Fintech selects Network International as its payment processor, expanding card issuance in Africa to enhance digital financial services and inclusion. (Image source: Network International)
Meta’s Project Waterworth spans 50,000 km across five continents, enhancing global connectivity, AI infrastructure, and digital inclusion. (Image source: Meta)
Flutterwave secures Cross-Border Payments Award at Africa Tech Summit 2025. (Image source: Flutterwave)
Ericsson unveils advanced radios, antennas, and RAN Connect solutions to enhance programmability, efficiency, and sustainability in next-gen networks. (Image source: Ericsson)
Siemon introduces SN cord support, tripling fibre capacity in 1U panels and aligning with VSFF connector adoption in data centres. (Image source: Siemon)
CMC Networks secures B-BBEE Level 1 for fifth year, enhancing inclusive growth, skills development, and customer satisfaction in South Africa. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
AGCCI trained more than 600 young women across 32 African nations, helping them build careers and develop innovations in ICT. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
More Articles
Kaspersky and Smart Africa collaborate to enhance cybersecurity skills, policies, and infrastructure, strengthening Africa’s digital security landscape. (Image source: Kaspersky)
This strategic collaboration focuses on providing broadband Internet access to remote areas, helping to bridge the digital divide in the region. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
Network International and Airtel Money partner to roll out digital payment solutions across Africa, starting with Uganda and expanding in 2025. (Image source: Network International)
Airtel Africa pledges to train 25,000 Nigerian youth in digital skills and offers 10 tech scholarships, supporting the country’s digital transformation. (Image source: Airtel Africa)
NAPAfrica reaches 5Tbps, reinforcing its role as Africa’s leading IXP, improving local traffic, reducing costs, and boosting performance. (
Flutterwave is a trusted payments provider for businesses across Africa. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
Mombasa is experiencing rapid interconnection growth and is among Africa’s most globally connected locations. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
This collaboration will allow Bayobab to optimise SMS connectivity while significantly reducing administrative costs. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
Teraco partners with NOA to integrate wind power into its data centres, advancing its 100% renewable energy goal in South Africa. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
MTN Group Fintech selects Network International as its payment processor, expanding card issuance in Africa to enhance digital financial services and inclusion. (Image source: Network International)
Meta’s Project Waterworth spans 50,000 km across five continents, enhancing global connectivity, AI infrastructure, and digital inclusion. (Image source: Meta)
Flutterwave secures Cross-Border Payments Award at Africa Tech Summit 2025. (Image source: Flutterwave)