In The Spotlight
Thales Alenia Space and Es’hailSat develop next-generation satellite to expand broadband connectivity across global strategic markets
Thales Alenia Space has secured a contract from Es’hailSat, the Qatar Satellite Company, to develop a next-generation software-defined satellite based on its Space INSPIRE (INstant SPace In-orbit REconfiguration) platform
The agreement marks a new step in advanced satellite communications, with the Eshail-3/Türksat-Biruni satellite set to deliver high-speed broadband connectivity services across Europe, Africa, Central Asia and the Middle East. The satellite will be jointly utilised with Turkish satellite operator Türksat.
Built on the Space INSPIRE platform, Eshail-3/Türksat-Biruni will feature advanced flexibility through a fully software-defined architecture, allowing in-orbit adjustments to respond quickly to changing broadband connectivity requirements. The technology will enable Es’hailSat to optimise satellite resources and provide enhanced communications services throughout the satellite’s operational lifetime.
As the prime contractor, Thales Alenia Space will oversee the complete satellite programme, including design, manufacturing, testing and delivery of the spacecraft. The company will also provide the ground segment and related services required to support satellite operations.
The partnership highlights Qatar’s efforts to strengthen its satellite communications capabilities while expanding connectivity services across strategic global markets.
“The signing of this contract with Thales Alenia Space marks a defining moment for Es’hailSat and for Qatar’s ambitions as a leading satellite service provider. Eshail-3/Türksat-Biruni will not only expand our coverage and capabilities into new strategic markets, but also strengthen the resilience and independence of Qatar’s communications infrastructure. We look forward to working closely with our industrial partner, Thales Alenia Space, to deliver high-performing communications services to our customers,” said Ali Ahmed Al-Kuwari, president and CEO at Es’hailSat.
“I would like to express my gratitude to Es’hailSat for putting its trust in our company,” said Hervé Derrey, President and CEO of Thales Alenia Space. “Today’s contract is significant for Thales Alenia Space as it recognizes our ability to offer an innovative, fully digitalized telecommunications satellite that can be reprogrammed in orbit, along with the capability to integrate hosted payloads serving both commercial and governmental requirements.”
Mastercard’s Africa Cyber security Centre of Excellence aims to boost cyber resilience. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
Mastercard has launched its Africa Cybersecurity Center of Excellence, a pan-African initiative aimed at improving cyber resilience, strengthening collaboration and protecting the trust that supports Africa’s rapidly expanding digital economy
The announcement was made during Mastercard CEO Michael Miebach’s visit to South Africa and Nigeria, highlighting the company’s continued commitment to supporting Africa’s digital transformation. Through the new initiative, Mastercard will bring its global cybersecurity expertise and intelligence capabilities to help organisations across the continent prepare for, respond to and recover from increasingly complex cyber threats.
The launch follows commitments made during recent engagements with the Nigerian government in Abuja and the South African government during the G20 meetings held in Johannesburg, with both discussions focused on advancing cybersecurity efforts across Africa.
Cyril Ramaphosa, president of South Africa, said, “We recognise that for digitisation to be inclusive, it must be trusted and secure. Mastercard has long been a trusted partner to South Africa, and its Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence is a welcome step to build on that foundation, drawing on the country’s best and brightest to meet a challenge no government or company can solve alone."
Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, president of Nigeria, commented, “As Nigeria deepens its digital transformation, secure and trusted systems will be critical to inclusion and growth. We welcome collaborations that strengthen our digital economy and build resilience for the future.”
As digital adoption continues to grow across Africa, cybersecurity has become increasingly important to economic development. The Africa Cybersecurity Center of Excellence has been established to support stronger collective defence by connecting financial institutions, public sector organisations and businesses to share intelligence, improve preparedness, identify threats earlier and strengthen long-term resilience.
Michael Miebach, CEO, Mastercard, said, "Africa is dynamic, fast-growing, and ready to scale its digital future. That won't happen without trust. People don't use what they don't trust. That makes cybersecurity foundational to driving economic resilience and growth across the continent. By doing more to connect public and private sector efforts and share best practices, we can strengthen collective defense and secure a more confident and inclusive digital economy."
Africa’s digital economy is expected to reach US$1.5 trillion by 2030, increasing the need for stronger cybersecurity cooperation. At the same time, cybercrime continues to rise across the continent, causing significant economic losses annually. However, only around 35% of cyber incidents are officially reported, with limited detection capabilities, cyber maturity gaps and reputational concerns contributing to underreporting.
South Africa remains one of Africa’s most targeted markets, accounting for approximately 29% of ransomware attacks and 40% of phishing incidents across the continent. Nigeria also continues to rank among the markets most affected by ransomware and dark-web-related cyber threats.
Led by Mastercard, the multi-year initiative will begin a phased rollout in 2026, starting with South Africa and Nigeria. Through a collaborative model, the Center aims to strengthen cyber preparedness, improve resilience and support safer digital growth across Africa.
Operating as a pan-African platform supported by connected digital capabilities, the Center will provide participating organisations with improved visibility into emerging cyber risks. The initiative will include a first-year ecosystem cyber risk analysis covering up to 50 organisations, as well as access to an Africa-focused threat intelligence feed developed by Recorded Future, a Mastercard company.
By enabling collaboration among chief information security officers (CISOs), business leaders and cybersecurity professionals, the Center will support secure information sharing, joint exercises and coordinated responses to help create a stronger cybersecurity ecosystem across Africa.
The initiative will continue evolving as cybersecurity requirements change, with its activities centred around three key pillars:
Threat intelligence and strategic insights: Providing participating organisations with Africa-focused cybersecurity intelligence, risk assessments and a shared understanding of emerging threats.
Collaboration and knowledge sharing: Connecting CISOs, senior business executives and security teams to improve collective response capabilities and promote cybersecurity best practices across industries.
Readiness and resilience: Helping organisations prepare for future threats through continuous risk monitoring, resilience evaluations and scenario-based exercises designed to improve response and recovery.
The launch of the Africa Cybersecurity Center of Excellence represents another step in Mastercard’s broader commitment to building trust in the digital economy. Since 2018, the company has invested more than US$12.6bn in cybersecurity innovation and supported the launch of more than 20 cybersecurity-focused startups.
The initiative further reflects Mastercard’s transition from a payments network into a technology and cyber intelligence partner, supporting stronger cyber resilience and enabling secure, inclusive and sustainable digital growth across Africa.
By collaborating with governments, financial institutions, businesses and SMEs, Mastercard aims to strengthen the digital foundations required for inclusive economic development and support a more secure and resilient digital future across the continent.
Yas Tanzania deploys Ericsson’s first AIR 3285 Radio in Africa. (Image source: Ericsson)
Ericsson maps Africa’s digital future. (Image source: Ericsson)
Global 5G mobile subscriptions surpassed three billion during the first quarter of 2026, with Sub-Saharan Africa witnessing rapid progress in its shift from legacy networks to advanced connectivity
According to the June 2026 edition of the Ericsson Mobility Report, the region is expected to record the fastest 5G subscription growth globally, increasing from around 30 million in 2025 to approximately 370 million by 2031.
Total mobile subscriptions in sub-Saharan Africa are forecast to reach 1.31 billion by 2031, rising from 1.05 billion in 2025. During this period, 2G and 3G networks are projected to decline significantly as 4G and 5G become the dominant technologies. LTE (4G) subscriptions are expected to increase from 490 million in 2025 to 610 million by 2031, representing 46% of total subscriptions. Meanwhile, 5G is forecast to account for 28% of mobile subscriptions by the end of 2031.
Mobile data usage across the region is also expanding rapidly. Average monthly mobile data consumption per active smartphone is projected to rise from 5.3 GB in 2025 to 12 GB in 2031. Total mobile data traffic is expected to increase from 2.8 EB per month in 2025 to 9.7 EB per month by 2031.
Majda Lahlou Kassi, vice-president and head of Ericsson West and Southern Africa, commented, “The acceleration of 4G and 5G is a defining opportunity for Africa to leapfrog into the AI era. By transitioning away from legacy networks, we are building the foundation for a vibrant, inclusive digital economy. With the right collaborative investments in spectrum and policy frameworks, Africa is positioned to fully participate in, and benefit from, the AI boom.”
Alain Maupin, vice-president and head of Ericsson East and North Africa at Ericsson Europe, Middle East and Africa, added, “As digital transformation scales across the continent, the rise of AI and uplink-heavy applications, such as XR and autonomous devices, will fundamentally change traffic patterns. We are committed to delivering the high-performing, programmable networks needed to meet these new demands and support Africa's innovators and enterprises.”
Beyond mobile connectivity, service providers across sub-Saharan Africa are increasingly expanding their offerings. Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) is becoming a key priority for connecting consumers and enterprises, offering significant long-term potential to address the region’s growing need for reliable broadband access.
Reflecting global trends highlighted in the June 2026 Ericsson Mobility Report, uplink traffic is growing faster than downlink traffic among many service providers. Current drivers include smartphone communication and collaboration applications, user-generated content sharing and cloud storage, reflecting changing network requirements across Africa. The report also highlights the growing industry focus on 6G standardisation.
The June 2026 Ericsson Mobility Report also includes insights into differentiated connectivity services offered by global providers, increasing uplink demand in AI-powered mobile networks, and the role of mobile connectivity in AI-driven enterprise transformation. Additional articles explore AI-enabled XR evolution with Qualcomm and network slicing advancements with SoftBank during the 2026 Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix.
Seacom’s new Nairobi-Kampala route strengthens regional connectivity with higher capacity, resilience and scalable digital infrastructure. (Image source: Seacom)
Seacom has launched a new high-capacity terrestrial network route linking Nairobi and Kampala, enhancing one of East Africa’s most important digital corridors
The new infrastructure is designed to improve connectivity reliability, increase capacity, and support the region’s growing demand for high-performance internet services.
The route connects major infrastructure hubs in Nairobi, Kisumu and Kampala, creating a more resilient pathway for data traffic moving inland from subsea cable landing stations in Mombasa. It transforms an established connectivity corridor into a modern, high-capacity backbone built to support East Africa’s expanding digital economy.
“We’re strengthening a route that already plays a central role in regional connectivity,” commented David Kariuki, chief technology officer at Seacom.
“We are ensuring that this segment is served by a high-capacity, carrier-grade network that can support the scale and performance today’s digital economy requires.”
Built for a rapidly growing digital economy
The Nairobi–Kampala corridor supports a wide range of sectors, including telecommunications, financial services, cloud platforms and digital commerce. With these industries experiencing continued growth, demand for reliable, low-latency connectivity is increasing across the region.
The upgraded route improves access to international bandwidth while enabling faster and more dependable data exchange between markets.
“The biggest impact will be felt across the broader internet economy,” Kariuki stated. “From service providers and banks to cloud operators and e-commerce platforms, organisations depend on stable connectivity to operate and grow. This investment directly improves their ability to deliver services.”
The infrastructure also strengthens regional connectivity beyond Kenya and Uganda, providing a more efficient route into neighbouring markets including Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan, supporting cross-border digital services and regional trade.
Greater resilience and service availability
Network reliability was a key consideration in developing the new route, particularly due to historical challenges affecting connectivity along this corridor.
Seacom has deployed Automated Switched Optical Network (ASON) technology, enabling traffic to be automatically rerouted within under 50 milliseconds during network faults. This helps maintain service continuity even during multiple disruptions.
“Service availability has been a major consideration,” Kariuki explained. “By managing and controlling more of the route ourselves, and adding automated switching, we can maintain uptime even when there are breaks along the network.”
The route provides latency of approximately 7 milliseconds to Nairobi and 13 milliseconds to Mombasa, supporting real-time applications such as financial transactions, cloud workloads and enterprise services.
Alongside the traditional A104 corridor, Seacom will utilise an alternative route through Narok, Kericho and Kisumu. This dual-path strategy reduces reliance on a single connection and improves overall network resilience.
The use of two border crossings, Malaba and Busia, further enhances reliability by reducing single points of failure and improving stability for customers operating across borders.
Scalable infrastructure for long-term growth
The Nairobi–Kampala route has been designed to accommodate future digital demand. At launch, the network provides 1Tbps of capacity, with scalability up to 30Tbps as requirements increase. This enables Seacom to expand capacity without significant infrastructure redesigns.
“Demand for data in East Africa is accelerating,” commented Kariuki. “We’ve designed this network to scale alongside that growth, so clients can increase capacity as their needs evolve.”
Based on DWDM technology, the route supports multiple high-capacity interfaces, including 1GE, 10GE, 100GE and 400GE, providing flexible connectivity options for enterprises, service providers and hyperscale customers.
Strengthening Seacom’s regional network strategy
The new route forms part of Seacom’s wider investment in East Africa’s digital infrastructure.
“This is a continuation of the work we’ve been doing to strengthen our network across the region,” Kariuki said. “We upgraded our IP network in Uganda last year, and this route builds on that foundation by improving both capacity and quality across a key corridor.”
As digital services continue expanding across East Africa, the Nairobi–Kampala route provides a stronger foundation for connectivity, supporting economic development and enabling the region’s next phase of digital growth.
Mercury strengthens satellite connectivity network
Eutelsat and Mercury, a subsidiary of Sonangol Group and a leading telecommunications services provider in Angola, have entered into a new multi-year, multi-million agreement to deliver Eutelsat’s LEO connectivity services
Building on the longstanding partnership between the two companies, Mercury, formerly known as MSTelcom, will continue expanding the availability of Eutelsat’s LEO services for enterprise, public sector, offshore and telecom customers across Angola.
Eutelsat remains the only licensed LEO operator currently operating in Angola and has established a significant presence in the country through its local partners. With investments in local infrastructure, including a ground station and local point of presence (PoP), alongside its continued commitment to Angola, Eutelsat has strengthened its position as a leading satellite connectivity provider in the country.
Through these capabilities, Eutelsat supports the delivery of low-latency connectivity services across Angola and the wider region, enabling organisations to access reliable communications beyond the reach of traditional infrastructure.
Philippe Baudrier, VP Africa at Eutelsat, said, “This new commitment from Mercury reflects the growing demand for Eutelsat’s LEO services in Angola and the continued success of our longstanding partnership. Together, we are expanding access to secure, low-latency connectivity across the country, helping enterprise, public sector, offshore, and telecom customers strengthen network resilience and reach locations beyond the coverage of traditional infrastructure.”
Francisco Pinto Leite, CEO, Mercury, added, “This new agreement reflects the strength of our partnership with Eutelsat and the value that LEO connectivity brings to our customers. Together, we are expanding the range of connectivity solutions available across Angola and helping organizations meet evolving communications requirements.”
According to GSMA Intelligence research, 79 per cent of operators in Africa now identify becoming a digital transformation partner as a primary enterprise objective.
The mobile telecommunications sector across the African continent is currently undergoing a profound transition.
According to the Mobile Economy Africa 2026 report, published by the GSMA, the industry has entered a highly anticipated phase of development. Operators are now shifting their strategic focus following a decade defined by the extensive expansion of physical network coverage. The primary objective is no longer merely connecting populations, but unlocking substantially greater economic value through advanced digital networks. This fundamental evolution is expected to drive continuous growth, technological innovation, and digital transformation across the region.
The economic impact of this digital foundation is already immense. The GSMA report indicates that Africa’s mobile industry contributed a staggering US$240bn to the continent's economy in 2025, a figure equivalent to 7.8% of total GDP. Also, the ecosystem actively supported approximately thirteen million jobs whilst simultaneously generating US$45bn in essential public revenues. By the year 2030, mobile technologies and services are projected to contribute a record US$290bn to the African economy.
Telecommunications operators are evolving far beyond their traditional roles to achieve these ambitious targets,. According to GSMA Intelligence research, 79% of operators in Africa now identify becoming a digital transformation partner as a primary enterprise objective. This critical transition involves deploying artificial intelligence, expanding consumer digital services, and opening core network capabilities directly to developers through standardised APIs.
Artificial intelligence is increasingly deployed to optimise network performance and support novel digital services. But, a significant localisation challenge persists. Africa is home to more than 30% of the world's spoken languages, yet prominent AI models remain predominantly trained on English. To rectify this imbalance, industry stakeholders are championing initiatives such as the GSMA's “AI language models in Africa, by Africa, for Africa” programme. Concurrently, momentum is growing behind the GSMA Open Gateway initiative. This framework enables operators to provide standardised network APIs to developers, facilitating new services whilst supporting fraud prevention, identity verification, and digital trust across the financial and e-commerce sectors.
Addressing this critical turning point for the industry, Vivek Badrinath, director general of the GSMA, outlined the strategic imperatives required to maintain this momentum.
He stated, "Africa's mobile industry is entering a new phase of development. Having connected millions of people and businesses over the last decade, the focus is increasingly shifting towards unlocking greater value through AI, digital services and new forms of innovation."
Highlighting the collaborative effort required from stakeholders, Badrinath continued: "Realising this opportunity will require continued investment, policies that encourage innovation, and a shared commitment to ensuring that everyone can benefit from the opportunities digital technologies create."
He further stressed the inherent responsibility of the wider technology ecosystem, adding: "We also call on the broader technology supply chain – including those who manufacture the components that make devices possible – to reflect on how their own success is tied to a connected world, and to join us in closing the usage gap and making that world more accessible and affordable for all."
The core challenge has decisively shifted from expanding network coverage to ensuring citizens and businesses fully utilise the connectivity already in place. While networks now cover the vast majority of the population, a glaring usage gap remains. Approximately 63 per cent of Africans live within broadband coverage but are not using the mobile internet. By stark comparison, only 9 per cent remain entirely outside mobile broadband coverage zones.
Affordability remains the single largest barrier to mobile internet adoption, heavily compounded by digital skills gaps and complex social barriers. To support the next phase of digital growth, the GSMA is calling for structural policy reforms that encourage private investment and dramatically improve affordability. Regulatory certainty, spectrum availability, and investment incentives will heavily influence future infrastructure deployment. Operators across Africa are expected to invest over US$76bn in vital network infrastructure between 2024 and 2030, a period during which 5G adoption is forecasted to reach 21% of all mobile connections. Ultimately, the GSMA notes that reducing systemic taxes on devices and digital services can rapidly accelerate adoption and expand equitable access to the modern digital economy.
New subsea cable route between France and Tunisia enters service, enhancing digital resilience and capacity.
The ViaTunisia subsea cable segment between Marseille in France, and Bizerte in Tunisia, has reached Ready for Service (RFS) marking the transition from construction to full operational availability on a direct and resilient new route between southern Europe and North Africa
From infrastructure design to live connectivity
The journey to RFS began long before the cable touched the seabed. Designed as an open, point-to-point system with a 25-year design life, ViaTunisia moved through each phase: marine surveys, factory acceptance tests, cable loading, laying, shore landings and final splicing. Marine operations were carried out by Orange Marine’s Sophie Germain and Elettra TLC’s Teliri cableships, under the coordination of Elettra TLC, with system design and equipment delivered by Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN).
A European-supported infrastructure
ViaTunisia was co-financed by the European Union under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF Digital) program.
The Grant Agreement, signed in December 2022, provided funding covering 30% of the construction and management costs. This demonstrates the EU’s commitment to reinforcing digital connectivity, supporting the rapid growth of data traffic driven by digital transformation and AI, and enabling new opportunities for digital services, investments, and innovation.
Creating a new digital bridge between Europe and Africa
ViaTunisia extends directly into Orange’s global infrastructure in Marseille, through a fully redundant urban fiber ring connecting all the Data Centers in the city. This set up enables seamless interconnexion and distribution of international capacity across Europe.
By combining the resilience, security and performance of a global backbone with Marseille’s role as a leading interconnection hub, ViaTunisia provides direct, high-capacity connectivity between North Africa and the wider digital world. It also multiplies route options in this area, especially in natural disaster-prone areas, minimising outages caused by cable failures, thus improving overall network resilience.
Ericsson maps Africa’s digital future. (Image source: Ericsson)
Seacom’s new Nairobi-Kampala route strengthens regional connectivity with higher capacity, resilience and scalable digital infrastructure. (Image source: Seacom)
Vertiv supports Paratus Namibia’s first private LTE and 5G network with resilient digital infrastructure solutions. (Image source: Vertiv)
Vertiv has announced its role in powering Namibia’s first private mobile network based on LTE and 5G technologies for Paratus, a pan-African telecommunications and network services provider
The deployment represents a major development in Namibia’s digital transformation journey, supporting Paratus Namibia’s transition from a regional connectivity company into a full-service mobile telecommunications operator.
To support the rollout, Paratus Namibia implemented new data centre infrastructure featuring Vertiv power and cooling technologies, alongside indoor and outdoor DC power systems designed to support radio equipment across its network.
The project involved several complex requirements, including converting a compact storage area into a fully operational telecom data centre, implementing modular uninterruptible power supply (UPS) capacity with future scalability, and ensuring reliable redundancy across power and cooling systems. These requirements were further intensified by strict timelines linked to the launch of Paratus Namibia’s mobile services.
As part of the deployment, Vertiv supplied a range of solutions, including cooling systems, modular UPS units equipped with lithium-ion batteries, rack power distribution units, and integrated AC inverter and DC rectifier power systems for both indoor and outdoor locations.
Paratus Namibia also worked with ISF ICT Infrastructure, a long-standing Vertiv partner in southern Africa, which managed the commissioning process and UPS system layout to ensure reliable network performance.
Vertiv and ISF ICT Infrastructure collaborated closely to overcome challenges related to global lithium battery supply shortages while maintaining project timelines. The teams ensured continuity by providing interim Vertiv backup loan batteries as a contingency measure in case of shipment delays. This proactive planning, combined with technical expertise and supply chain coordination, contributed to the successful delivery of the project.
Building a resilient digital network
The Paratus Namibia network now provides a complete mobile ecosystem featuring voice over LTE (VoLTE), Wi-Fi calling, advanced LTE and 5G services, alongside fibre and Sky-Fi wireless connectivity solutions.
The newly developed data centre supports mobile, residential, and enterprise services through a scalable and highly available infrastructure environment. Reliability and continuous operation were key priorities during the design process, with N+1 redundancy, real-time monitoring, and advanced power and cooling systems incorporated to minimise service interruptions.
These resilient infrastructure solutions support Paratus Namibia’s strategy to expand its market presence while responding to increasing demand for digital services across Namibia and the wider region.
Paratus Group’s chief technical officer, Gert Duvenhage, said, “Our vision has always been to build our own infrastructure as the foundation for long-term growth. With Vertiv and ISF ICT Infrastructure, organisations where we have long-standing trust, we were able to overcome space constraints, aggressive timelines and complex technical requirements to roll out scalable, redundant, market-leading solutions, backed with added technical capabilities.”
“The execution of this project was extremely smooth - when something works and there are no issues, it almost disappears from your radar - which is exactly how it should be.”
Supporting Namibia’s digital future
Vertiv’s portfolio of infrastructure technologies enabled Paratus Namibia to establish the country’s first private LTE and 5G mobile network. The deployment strengthens the company’s position within Namibia’s telecommunications sector while creating a platform for future digital development.
“With this network now operational, Paratus Namibia solidifies its role in shaping the country’s telecommunications landscape,” added Gary Chomse, Vertiv’s regional director for Southern and Central Africa. “The deployment not only boosts connectivity options for local users but also lays a foundation for future digital innovation and continued growth across the region. Vertiv is proud to support Paratus Namibia in bringing the country’s first private LTE and 5G mobile network to life.”
Yas Tanzania deploys Ericsson’s first AIR 3285 Radio in Africa. (Image source: Ericsson)
According to GSMA Intelligence research, 79 per cent of operators in Africa now identify becoming a digital transformation partner as a primary enterprise objective.
Uganda approves Starlink operations after signing licensing agreement to boost internet access and digital transformation. (Image source: Ministry of ICT & National Guidence)
Starlink has received official approval to commence operations in Uganda after signing a Memorandum of Understanding and operational licensing agreement with the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) at State House in Entebbe on 15 May 2026
The agreement represents a significant development in Uganda’s efforts to improve internet accessibility and accelerate national digital transformation initiatives.
Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni attended the signing ceremony and acknowledged Starlink’s commitment to operating within Uganda’s legal and regulatory requirements. “Our interest is security, revenue assurance, and proper accountability within the telecommunications sector so that we know who is operating and who the customers are,” president Museveni said.
He further expressed satisfaction with the company’s readiness to meet Uganda’s operational conditions ahead of launching services in the country.
Following the signing, the Uganda Communications Commission issued the necessary operational certification required for Starlink’s deployment within the country. Under the licensing terms, the company must establish a national gateway, maintain a physical presence in Uganda and operate a local office staffed with technical and legal personnel.
The rollout is expected to enhance internet access across the country, particularly in rural and underserved regions where connectivity challenges remain significant.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ryan Goodnight described the agreement as an important development for both Uganda and Starlink.
“It is a great honor to be here in this beautiful country. We are incredibly excited that we are forging this cooperation and bringing this network here,” he said.
He added that Starlink intends to support wider digital participation by reducing internet costs and expanding access to reliable connectivity services.
Goodnight also announced plans for the company to support sectors including healthcare and education through the donation of internet connectivity devices to selected facilities across Uganda.
Uganda’s Ministry of ICT and National Guidance welcomed the partnership, noting that it could strengthen innovation, improve digital inclusion and create new opportunities across sectors such as business, education, healthcare and communications.
The introduction of Starlink services is expected to play a key role in Uganda’s broader digital transformation agenda by expanding connectivity access nationwide.
Thales Alenia Space and Es’hailSat develop next-generation satellite to expand broadband connectivity across global strategic markets
Mercury strengthens satellite connectivity network
Yas, owned by AXIAN Telecom, advanced eleven places in the Financial Times Africa’s Fastest-Growing Companies 2026 ranking.
Yas, owned by AXIAN Telecom, has strengthened its position among Africa’s fastest-growing companies after securing the 63rd spot in the Financial Times Africa’s Fastest-Growing Companies 2026 ranking, compiled in partnership with Statista
The latest result represents an improvement of eleven places from the company’s debut ranking of 74th in 2025. Now in its fifth edition, the FT-Statista ranking evaluates 130 African companies based on compound annual revenue growth recorded between 2021 and 2024. Revenue submissions are certified at executive level, providing a stringent benchmark of high-growth businesses across the continent.
Hassan Jaber, CEO of AXIAN Telecom, said, “This ranking reflects the momentum we have built across every part of our business. Strong financial results, a successful bond issuance, the launch of Yas as a unified pan-African brand, and our continued investment in networks and digital infrastructure, which are not isolated achievements. They are expressions of a single, coherent strategy: to build the connectivity and digital services that Africa needs, and to do so with the discipline and ambition this continent deserves.”
The company reported strong financial performance for the 2025 financial year, achieving revenue of US$1.691bn, representing year-on-year growth of 20%. Yas currently serves 43.8 million subscribers across 11 African markets, reflecting increasing demand for digital services and connectivity throughout the continent.
In July 2025, the company also completed a successful US$600mn bond issuance after receiving a credit rating upgrade to B+.
Alongside its financial growth, Yas has also gained international recognition for its brand positioning. Following the rollout of its unified pan-African identity across mobile operations in Madagascar, Tanzania, Togo, Senegal and Comoros, the company entered the Brand Finance Telecoms 150 2026 ranking for the first time.
The brand was ranked among the world’s top 20 strongest telecom brands and was additionally recognised as a ‘Brand to Watch’ for 2026.
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International Power Control Systems (IPCS) has been named as a distribution partner in Malawi by Vertiv, a specialist in critical digital infrastructure
International Power Control Systems (IPCS) has been named as a distribution partner in Malawi by Vertiv, a specialist in critical digital infrastructure
The new agreement marks a major step in expanding Vertiv’s reach in the Malawian market, leveraging IPCS’s established experience in power control and alternative energy solutions.
“This collaboration will enhance IPCS’s product portfolio, reinforcing our position as a trusted leader in the Malawian market,” said Rumbidzai Bere, business development and marketing director at IPCS.
“The combination of IPCS’s experience in power control and renewable energy and Vertiv’s innovative solutions, such as lithium-ion compatible UPS systems and IT infrastructure products, will bring a new layer of reliability and efficiency to organisations in Malawi, enabling them to equip their critical infrastructure with the resilient, scalable infrastructure needed to support them over time.”
The agreement includes the distribution of Vertiv's comprehensive critical digital infrastructure portfolio, including single-phase and three-phase AC power solutions, surge protection, integrated racks and cabinets and IT infrastructure management solutions, to support the growing demands for computing and AI infrastructure in the region.
The Malawi government’s National Compact for Energy sets out the country’s vision and commitment to increasing access to electricity and alternative energy by 2030, with the aim of providing electricity to 70% of the population.
“Our collaboration with IPCS is a step toward reinforcing Vertiv’s local footprint and a strategic move to align with a well-established, respected partner,” said Gary Chomse, Vertiv’s regional director for central and southern Africa.
“This is proof of our presence, commitment and investment in the Malawian power control, data centre infrastructure, and alternative energy sectors.
“Through this partnership, Vertiv and IPCS are committed to contributing to Malawi’s technological evolution, providing businesses with the power and infrastructure solutions needed to support the country’s digital future.”
IPCS, a wholly Malawian-owned company, has built its reputation as a leader in power solutions since its foundation in 1998.
With a strong track record in supplying, installing and maintaining critical power infrastructure, including uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), data centre solutions, automatic voltage regulators, surge protectors, and alternative energy systems, IPCS is well-positioned to supply, install, and support Vertiv solutions in Malawi.
“This means that, as digital transformation accelerates and electrification efforts continue, there is immense potential for growth in the IT and power sectors,” added Bere.
“With Malawi’s youthful population, 80% of whom are under the age of 35, we also believe that the rise in IT skills, the use of AI and cybersecurity advancements will further drive demand for sophisticated data centre solutions.”
TOA, MTN strengthen Uganda’s digital infrastructure. (Image source: TOA)
The Vertiv PowerDirect 7100 Energy supplies up to 52 kW of scalable 48 V DC power and delivers efficiency levels of up to 98%. (Image source: Vertiv)
Integrity360 acquires Redshift in South Africa, boosting cybersecurity services, expertise, and regional expansion
Integrity360, continuing its global growth strategy and dedication to Africa, has acquired Redshift, a respected Johannesburg-based cybersecurity services firm. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed
This move follows Integrity360’s earlier regional investments, including the 2024 and early 2025 acquisitions of the Grove Group and Nclose.
The acquisition expands Integrity360’s South African presence to a team of over 230 employees serving clients across the continent. Its Johannesburg and Cape Town operations also function as key hubs for the group’s integrated global Security Operations Centre (SOC), delivering a full suite of managed services, including EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response), XDR (Extended Detection and Response), and MDR (Managed Detection and Response) solutions to both local and international clients.
Founded in 2015, Redshift has earned a strong reputation for excellence in cybersecurity testing and other specialized services, such as cybercrime investigations, anti-fraud advisory, scammer group takedowns, cyber intelligence, and managed services. Redshift adds approximately 50 customers, including leading South African finance, banking, and telecommunications organisations, and around 40 additional employees to the Integrity360 group.
Redshift will serve as a regional centre of excellence for cybersecurity testing and integrate closely with Integrity360’s existing advisory and managed services teams. Integrity360 plans to invest in expanding the business by leveraging the group’s extensive resources.
Redshift clients will gain access to Integrity360’s comprehensive cybersecurity portfolio, encompassing cyber risk and assurance, 24/7 incident response and forensics, infrastructure and technology services, PCI compliance, operational technology consulting, and a full range of managed services, including Managed SASE (Secure Access Service Edge), Managed CTEM (Continuous Threat Exposure Management), and advanced XDR/MDR solutions. Integrity360 has been recognised five times in Gartner market guides, most recently for Incident Response and Forensic services.
Ian Brown, executive chairman at Integrity360, said, “We are very excited to be welcoming Sean, Cailan and the entire Redshift team to Integrity360. The reputation and expertise they have developed since their formation in 2015 is highly impressive and we are looking forward to helping them provide an enhanced set of services to their customers and expanding further in the African market over the coming years.”
Sean Howell and Cailan Sacks, directors of Redshift, added, “This is a significant moment for us, and we could not be more delighted that Redshift is joining Integrity360 and continuing the growth and development of the business that was initially started by Sean a decade ago. Thanks to the support of our customers and employees, Redshift has grown enormously during that time, and having spent considerable time with Ian, and the wider Integrity360 leadership team, we are confident will continue to do so being part of the Integrity360 group. We are excited about the future for us as an organisation, for our people and in particular for what the enhanced group can provide our customers moving forward.”
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