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In The Spotlight

5G investments are fueling digital innovation and driving economic growth across MEA.

Mobile

Nokia has released the latest edition of its Mobile Broadband Index Report 2025, offering an in-depth look at the evolving mobile broadband ecosystem across the Middle East and Africa (MEA)

The report highlights the region’s accelerating transition towards 5G connectivity, projecting that by 2030, 5G will dominate a substantial share of mobile subscriptions and data traffic. It also emphasises how 5G investments are fueling digital innovation and driving economic growth across MEA.

According to Nokia’s new research, by 2030, 82% of connections will operate on 4G or 5G networks, underscoring the shift towards data-driven usage as smartphones become more widely accessible. 5G is also emerging as a vital enabler for IoT, smart cities, and enterprise solutions. Its growing adoption stems from increased operator investments and government-led digital transformation programs, positioning it as a cornerstone of future connectivity. By 2030, MEA’s 5G subscriptions are projected to reach 605 million, with 53% of total data traffic generated by 5G. In the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), 91% of subscriptions are expected to be on 5G, the highest proportion in the region.

The report also reveals the rapid expansion of 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), with its market share expected to rise from 15% in 2023 to 35% by 2030. This marks a major shift towards advanced fixed wireless solutions, driven by the growing maturity of 5G networks across MEA. These networks provide the infrastructure necessary to deliver high-speed broadband to homes and businesses without relying on traditional wired connections. The uptake of 5G FWA offers faster deployment and reduced infrastructure costs compared to fiber, making it a compelling solution for expanding internet access and improving regional connectivity.

“Significant investments in 5G technology are being made by operators in the MEA region, which will serve as the engine to enable IoT, smart cities, and enterprise solutions. These advancements are expected to drive transformative use cases such as autonomous transportation, smart agriculture, and advanced healthcare services powered by real-time data analytics. Additionally, the integration of 5G with edge computing and AI will unlock new opportunities for industries to optimise operations, enhance productivity, and deliver innovative customer experiences,” said Mikko Lavanti, senior vice-president, mobile networks, MEA, Nokia.

Airtel Africa and Eutelsat OneWeb have achieved a milestone by successfully testing high-speed satellite internet on a moving train across sub-Saharan Africa

Satellite

In a major milestone for Africa’s digital and transport sectors, Airtel Africa has successfully tested satellite-powered internet on a moving train, marking a first for Sub-Saharan Africa

The trial demonstrated how uninterrupted, high-speed connectivity can be maintained over a 669 km railway route through dense forests and remote landscapes where fibre networks and cell towers are unavailable.

For years, railways have been a backbone of trade and travel across Africa, carrying millions of tonnes of goods and countless passengers. Yet, much of this vast network has remained disconnected from the digital world. Airtel’s latest achievement is set to change that reality.

Powered by Airtel Satellite for Business and Eutelsat OneWeb’s low-earth orbit satellite network, the test provided a stable connection throughout most of the journey, even through challenging terrain. Download speeds reached up to 100 Mbps, while uploads averaged 20 Mbps, meeting all the performance targets for the trial.

Connectivity remained smooth and consistent along nearly the entire route, with low latency and minimal interruptions, confirming the technology’s potential for real-world deployment.

This breakthrough opens the door to a new era in African railway connectivity. For operators, constant internet access enables real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and improved safety. For passengers, it promises reliable Wi-Fi, digital ticketing, real-time travel information, and onboard entertainment, transforming the travel experience.

Following this successful trial, Airtel and Eutelsat OneWeb plan to expand Airtel Satellite for Business services across Nigeria, Zambia, Gabon, Madagascar, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, extending high-speed internet access to some of the continent’s most remote areas.

From mining operations and oil fields to moving trains, this accomplishment demonstrates how satellite connectivity is redefining the limits of Africa’s digital landscape, bringing reliable internet to places where traditional infrastructure cannot reach.

LINX Accra goes live

Internet

The London Internet Exchange (LINX) has officially announced that its new interconnection point in Ghana, LINX Accra, is now operational

As LINX’s first presence in West Africa, this milestone underscores the organisation’s mission to advance interconnection, strengthen digital infrastructure, and enhance end user experience across the continent. The technical deployment of LINX Accra has been successfully completed at two major data centre locations, Onix and PAIX, forming the foundation of the first phase of this strategic interconnection hub.

The LINX fabric links these sites through redundant fibre routes, a design that distinguishes LINX from other Internet Exchange Points (IXPs). This setup allows networks at both sites to exchange traffic through a method known as peering, a low latency and cost efficient way of routing network traffic. LINX brings over 30 years of global interconnection expertise to support this initiative in the region.

LINX Accra provides a neutral and future ready platform where Internet Service Providers (ISPs), content providers, cloud services, and enterprises can exchange data locally.

Jennifer Holmes, CEO for LINX, stated, “The launch of LINX Accra is a major step forward in our commitment to supporting digital transformation across Africa. By enabling local traffic exchange, and connecting Onix and PAIX via our fabric, we’re helping to build a stronger, more resilient and higher performing internet ecosystem in the region.”

A third interconnection point will soon follow with the launch of the Digital Realty data centre in Accra, which will expand the LINX Accra platform to three sites.

Nurani Nimpuno, head of global engagement for LINX, highlighted the importance of collaboration in such projects, “We are lucky to have such engaged data centre partners here in Ghana. When building IXPs in new geographics, collaboration is key. Our data centre partners are a key part of our business case when building in new locations and success is very much a team effort.”

LINX Accra is now live and open for peering. A 10GE port with 2Gbps of service is included in the US$130 monthly LINX membership fee.

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Cassava Technologies and SAAIA join forces to boost AI development across Africa.

Cassava Technologies, a global technology leader with African heritage, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the South African Artificial Intelligence Association (SAAIA) to deliver advanced artificial intelligence (AI) solutions and GPU-as-a-Service (GPUaaS) across Africa

The strategic partnership aims to bolster AI development by giving SAAIA’s community of over 3,000 AI practitioners—including entrepreneurs, researchers, and industry professionals—access to Cassava’s state-of-the-art data centre GPU infrastructure. This will enable them to develop, test, and deploy AI applications that address local and regional challenges.

As part of the collaboration, Cassava Technologies and SAAIA will also work together on joint initiatives that support the broader African AI ecosystem, promoting innovation, research, and sustainable growth.

“We are proud to partner with SAAIA to support the growth of Africa’s AI ecosystem. By extending our advanced AI infrastructure and capabilities to SAAIA’s growing community of AI professionals, we’re enabling greater access to the compute power required to build, test, and scale innovative local solutions. We believe this partnership will deliver meaningful value to both organisations and, more importantly, to the business and research communities driving AI development on the continent,” said Ziaad Suleman, CEO of Cassava Technologies South Africa and Botswana.

SAAIA, a leading force in South Africa’s AI landscape, is dedicated to promoting responsible AI by connecting AI practitioners from academia, government, private enterprise, startups, and NGOs. It is also the organiser of AI Expo Africa, the continent’s largest AI-focused event, and plays a key role in driving investment in Africa’s smart technology sector.

“SAAIA is pleased to be partnering with Cassava Technologies in strengthening AI in South Africa. Supporting local AI entrepreneurs is a key pillar of SAAIA, and access to GPU-as-a-Service is a key enabler to growing the emerging AI startup ecosystem,” said SAAIA Founder and Chairman, Dr Nick Bradshaw.

The partnership underscores Cassava’s commitment to advancing digital transformation across Africa. It follows the company’s recent announcement of plans to build the continent’s first AI factory, a move aimed at providing local businesses, governments, and academic institutions with access to cutting-edge AI computing capabilities. This initiative aligns with Cassava’s vision of becoming the leading provider of digital solutions across its markets and empowering Africans to thrive in the digital economy.

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Internet

Orange links Mediterranean to global digital

Internet

With the arrival of this new submarine cable, Orange reinforces its commitment to international connectivity and digital dynamism in the Mediterranean through the continued expansion of its infrastructure in Marseille

Thanks to its fully redundant fibre optic infrastructure, Orange will provide customers with simple, secure, and direct access to all the city’s data centres, which are now interconnected. This enhances the resilience of access and enables direct links to major European hubs such as Paris, London, and Frankfurt, as well as the rest of the world, including Asia, Africa, and the Americas.

This turnkey solution strengthens Marseille’s position as a global interconnection hub. All aspects of the cable are fully managed by Orange, including technical, regulatory, security, and environmental considerations.

An additional link for Mediterranean connectivity

As the Medusa system’s first landing in Europe, this new cable forms part of the ongoing development of submarine networks connecting both sides of the Mediterranean. It will link Marseille to Bizerte in Tunisia (Via Tunisia project announced by Orange in April 2023). This 1,050 km segment will meet the growing demand for bandwidth in the region.

A project supported by the European Union

The Marseille–Bizerte segment benefits from co-financing by the European Union through the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). Three pairs of fibre belonging to Orange are supported within the European Global Gateway strategy, aimed at strengthening connections between Europe and Africa, supporting the digital transition, and reducing the digital divide.

Michael Trabbia, CEO of Orange Wholesale, stated, "We are proud to bring our leadership and expertise to the Medusa cable, hosted within our secure infrastructure in Marseille, with laying operations carried out by our cable ships, Teliri and Sophie Germain. Our infrastructure offers a key link in Mediterranean basin connectivity, ensuring digital resilience and supporting socio-economic development. With this landing, Orange enhances Europe's digital sovereignty and positions Marseille as a global digital hub, now hosting the arrival of 17 submarine cables connected worldwide."

The Medusa cable provider is Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN). Elettra Tlc, a subsidiary of Orange and the project coordinator, managed the operation. Orange Marine’s cable ship Sophie Germain was responsible for the cable landing operations in Marseille.

An environmentally respectful approach

To protect local ecosystems, the landing operation was conducted via horizontal directional drilling, respecting regional environmental objectives, including bypassing Posidonia meadows and the Calanques park.

The cable laying was executed by the Sophie Germain, a state-of-the-art, low environmental impact cable ship.

Orange, a key player in global connectivity

As a major player in international connectivity and submarine cables, Orange continues to invest heavily in future digital infrastructure. The Group is involved in over 40 submarine cables, representing nearly 450,000 km of networks worldwide.

Its subsidiaries Elettra Tlc and Orange Marine, specialising in cable ships, manage engineering, installation, and maintenance of these cables, ensuring Orange’s complete control over the value chain, from design to operation.

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Vertiv and Nxtra are setting a new benchmark for data infrastructure in Africa

Mobile

Google Pay launches in Lebanon and Oman, expanding digital wallet access securely. (Image source: Google Pay)

Mobile

Google has officially launched Google Pay in Lebanon and Oman, extending its mobile payment services to two more countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region

As of today, Android phone and Wear OS users in both countries can use Google Pay to make quick, secure, and convenient payments.

With this expansion, users in Lebanon and Oman can now tap to pay in stores where contactless payments are accepted, make purchases in apps, and complete transactions online. The service is integrated with Google Wallet, which also launches today in both countries. Cardholders can securely store their credit or debit cards within the digital wallet, simplifying their everyday payments.

Google Pay enhances payment security by using multiple layers of protection. “This includes industry-standard tokenization, which means when you use Google Pay to pay, transactions are made using a virtual card number (a token). A Token is device-specific and is associated with a dynamic security code that changes with each transaction,” the company explained.

With Google Pay and Google Wallet now available, users in Lebanon and Oman can enjoy a safer and more streamlined digital payment experience, in line with global standards for mobile transactions.

5G investments are fueling digital innovation and driving economic growth across MEA.

5G investments are fueling digital innovation and driving economic growth across MEA.

Satellite

Carel Coetzee CEO of NEC XON. (Image source: NEC XON)

Satellite

Across Africa, industries working in remote and hard-to-reach areas continue to face one pressing challenge: reliable, high-speed connectivity

Mining operations in rural regions, offshore oil platforms, government outposts, and agricultural enterprises often function in locations where fibre deployment is not practical, mobile coverage is inconsistent, and microwave networks are expensive or slow to deploy. For these sectors, data access is not a luxury but a vital operational requirement.

NEC XON, in partnership with Eutelsat OneWeb, is tackling these challenges through an integrated approach. By combining enterprise-grade Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite connectivity with innovative last-mile solutions, the company is building a model for connectivity in Africa’s most demanding environments. 

Understanding the challenges of remote operations

Enterprises located far from urban centres face unique connectivity barriers that can directly affect productivity, safety, and growth. Infrastructure gaps remain a major obstacle as fibre and traditional terrestrial networks rarely extend to these sites. Building new infrastructure can take months and cost millions. In industries such as mining, oil and gas, and logistics, operational continuity is crucial. Even short downtime periods can disrupt safety monitoring, halt production, and compromise regulatory compliance.

These industries also require flexibility and resilience. Temporary sites or mobile operations demand scalable solutions that can adapt as the business moves or grows. In areas with inconsistent fibre or mobile coverage, dependable backup connectivity is essential. Without redundancy and resilience, remote operations risk costly disruptions and missed opportunities.

“These challenges require a different approach to connectivity,” commented Wally Beelders, executive: Communications Solutions at NEC XON. “It’s not just about putting a satellite terminal somewhere. It’s about creating a fully integrated, end-to-end service that meets the operational, regulatory, and security requirements of the sectors we serve.”

To strengthen this offering, NEC XON integrates bundled last-mile solutions such as point-to-point, point-to-multipoint, and Super Wi-Fi networks. Carel Coetzee, CEO of NEC XON, explained, “What sets us apart from other distributors is a product portfolio that allows for integrated last-mile solutions. We can stack this on the back end of your OneWeb, which serves as the backhaul. We bundle these solutions together to provide more comprehensive coverage, connecting schools, hospitals, clinics, communities… at a more affordable rate.”

Key differentiators for African industries

The combined NEC XON and OneWeb approach is well suited to Africa’s diverse environments:

  • Fully integrated backhaul and last-mile solutions, providing end-to-end connectivity from satellite terminal to user

  • Rapid deployment, with installations completed within days to bring critical operations online almost immediately

  • Pan-African presence, with NEC XON’s strong footprint across the continent enabling fast response times, local support, and culturally informed engagement

  • Enterprise and carrier-grade reliability, designed for mission-critical applications rather than consumer services

  • Super Wi-Fi technology, offering a coverage radius of up to 1.7 km for enterprise campuses, rural communities, and mobile operations

Through this integration, NEC XON delivers comprehensive coverage in regions once considered inaccessible or too costly to connect. Enterprises and communities can now rely on affordable, dependable connectivity where they need it most.

Airtel Africa and Eutelsat OneWeb have achieved a milestone by successfully testing high-speed satellite internet on a moving train across sub-Saharan Africa

LEO services enhance AD Ports digital transformation. (Image source: AD Ports Group)

Commerce

AfDB and Algeria unite to scale startups and SMEs, fostering innovation, trade, and youth-driven growth in Africa

Commerce

The African Development Bank (AfDB) and Algeria’s Ministry of Knowledge Economy, Startups, and Micro-Enterprises have agreed to deepen cooperation to accelerate the growth of startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Africa

The announcement came at the close of the fourth edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF 2025), hosted in Algiers from 4 to 10 September. Leading the Bank’s delegation, Ousmane Fall, Acting Director of the Industrial and Trade Development Department, highlighted the AfDB’s central role in unlocking finance for African businesses. “Supporting small and medium-sized enterprises and startups is one of the key pillars of our work, as defined in the Four Cardinal Points of the Bank group’s new president, Dr Sidi Ould Tah,” said Fall. He added, “The Bank will support SMEs through an innovative approach that combines new financing instruments, advisory services, and policy reforms to promote their emergence across the continent.”

Strengthening private sector engagement

Ahead of discussions with Minister Noureddine Ouadah, the Bank delegation met with Algeria Venture, the state-backed startup accelerator. Both sides agreed to enhance cooperation, particularly by linking Algerian startup funding mechanisms with leading private equity and venture capital funds. They also confirmed plans to jointly take part in the African Startup Conference, scheduled in Algiers from 6 to 9 December 2025, which aims to promote innovation, strengthen networks, and attract investment on a continental scale.

Closing IATF 2025, Minister Ouadah announced the launch of a new investment fund for African startups, an initiative championed by Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, underlining Algeria’s commitment to prioritising youth and innovation in shaping Africa’s economic future.

The AfDB’s Non-Sovereign Operations team also presented financing solutions for the private sector while pursuing new strategic collaborations. Engagements with firms such as Solewant Group, a Nigerian steel and coatings leader, illustrated the Bank’s interest in high-impact African companies.

Showcasing innovation and entrepreneurship

The AfDB further contributed to several IATF sessions, including one organised with UNDP’s Timbuktoo initiative and the African Union on “Building an Enabling Startup Ecosystem,” as well as a discussion hosted by Afreximbank’s African Research and Innovation Centre. These platforms enabled the Bank to highlight its Innovation and Entrepreneurship Lab and its flagship ENNOVA programme, which helps entrepreneurs expand their operations and access new opportunities.

The IATF Advisory Council, in which the Bank is an active participant, announced that Lagos, Nigeria, will host the fifth edition of the fair in 2027. Reaffirming its commitment, the AfDB stressed that trade, entrepreneurship, and innovation remain central to driving inclusive growth and industrial transformation across the continent.

Network International partners with National Union Bank to modernise Libya’s banking and expand secure, innovative digital payments

Niraj Shah joins Bayobab as general manager, leading Data Centres Programme to drive Africa’s digital growth. (Image source: Bayobab)

Power

GeniWatt expands footprint with FG Wilson gensets across Guinea Bissau and Cameroon’s telecom and healthcare sectors. (Image source: GeniWatt)

Power

France-based GeniWatt has enjoyed a string of Africa successes so far in 2025, most recently completing a genset installation at a telecommunications site in Guinea Bissau

The company supplied a P22 generator set, in partnership with Synergy, for telecoms group MTN in the West African country.

The FG Wilson P22 and P33 gensets are “perfectly suited” to telecoms towers, the company noted in a statement, citing soundproof enclosures, safety options, large tanks and telemetry, with full customisation available.

Founded in 2011 by Damien Fétis, president of Secodi, GeniWatt was specially created for the distribution of FG Wilson generators in France, but has extended its footprint deeply into Africa.

West Africa, in particular, has proved fruitful ground so far during 2025.

That includes a string of orders from Cameroon, working together with another local partner, DM Approtech.

Together, the two companies have supplied generators to various groups and associations based in Yaoundé, the nation’s capital.

It includes a 110kVA FG Wilson emergency generator for the Association pour la Promotion de la Femme building, and another emergency generator with its source inverter for the Centre de Formation Sorawell, a separate entity created by the Association pour la Promotion de la Femme.

In addition, the two companies supplied a P22 generator for a new maternity unit financed by the Compassion Sans Frontière association.

Last year, GeniWatt also played a key role in a major dam project in Cameroon, modifying an FG Wilson open P150 for installation at the Nachtigal hydroelectric plant, which sits about 65 kilometres north-east of the capital.

The project included automatic load bank and oil top-up, dual starter with dual battery sets, NFE37-312 GSS2 compliance for safety, a tank with two electric pumps and a manual pump, conducted again alongside DM Approtech, with supervision from EDF to validate the specifications.

Nachtigal is a key strategic project for Cameroon, operated by a consortium that includes energy giant EDF.

The dam’s first turbine is now operational, with full commissioning expected during 2025.

With an expected total capacity of 420 MW, it will eventually cover nearly 30% of Cameroon’s energy needs with clean, available and inexpensive electricity.

International Power Control Systems (IPCS) has been named as a distribution partner in Malawi by Vertiv, a specialist in critical digital infrastructure

Mozambique’s energy sector to receive a boost from the African Development Bank following the institution’s participation in Maputo at the Africa50 summit

Security

Kaspersky launches External Attack Surface module in DFI, giving security teams visibility, risk scoring, and proactive defenses

Security

Kaspersky has unveiled a new External Attack Surface module within its Digital Footprint Intelligence (DFI) service, now accessible through the Threat Intelligence portal

This addition integrates External Attack Surface Management (EASM) features, enabling security teams to continuously oversee and protect their organisation’s external perimeter with improved visibility and control.

For years, the exploitation of public-facing applications has remained the leading method of initial compromise. According to the Kaspersky Incident Response report, these accounted for 39% of incidents in 2024. Furthermore, over 90% of the vulnerabilities targeted by attackers during that year had been publicly disclosed more than twelve months earlier, highlighting weak update and patch management practices in the affected organisations.

With the rapid expansion of digital ecosystems across cloud platforms, third-party applications, and shadow IT, organisations face mounting challenges in maintaining a secure perimeter. The newly introduced module helps by detecting exposed infrastructure, flagging vulnerabilities such as unpatched software or open ports, and assigning risk scores so that security teams can prioritise fixes based on potential business impact.

The External Attack Surface module directly addresses two essential concerns for security leaders: identifying internet-facing assets and determining which ones are at risk. It combines vulnerability scanning, misconfiguration checks, and contextual risk analysis to give enterprises a clear picture of their exposure, along with concrete steps to minimise it.

Unlike tools that provide only a snapshot, this solution also collects and stores historical data. This enables retrospective analysis, trend monitoring, and enhanced incident investigations. Data aggregation from multiple specialised search engines boosts coverage across hosts and services. Each issue discovered is supported by thorough explanations and remediation advice, ensuring teams can move efficiently from detection to resolution.

The value of the module lies not only in enhanced visibility but also in the ability to act decisively. Whether it involves patching outdated software, moving systems behind VPNs, applying WAF rules, or resetting compromised credentials, the module delivers clear and prioritized recommendations that help organizations strengthen defenses before attackers can exploit weaknesses.

“Security teams are under constant pressure to manage an ever-expanding digital perimeter. With the External Attack Surface module, we give them not only visibility of what attackers can see but also recommendations to reduce exposure and respond effectively. By enriching DFI with EASM functionality, we continue to expand the scope of our Threat Intelligence portfolio and deliver cross-product synergies that empower security teams with deeper insights, faster investigations, and more resilient cyber defense.” said Yuliya Novikova, head of digital footprint intelligence at Kaspersky.

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