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Cassava Technologies has strengthened Africa's cloud infrastructure by expanding cloud resilience capabilities through a new Microsoft Azure ExpressRoute Metro peering location in Johannesburg

The milestone, delivered through its businesses Africa Data Centres and Liquid C2, enhances secure, high-performance cloud connectivity for enterprises across the continent.

Africa Data Centres has been designated a Microsoft Azure ExpressRoute Metro peering location, making Johannesburg the first metro area in Africa to support the service. The development reinforces Cassava Technologies' position in advancing the continent's digital infrastructure while enabling organisations to access more resilient and secure cloud services.

Leveraging its on-net presence across both ExpressRoute Metro locations in Johannesburg, Liquid C2, Cassava Technologies' cloud and cyber security business, will provide Secure CloudConnect, a fully managed solution that combines resilient private cloud connectivity with integrated cyber security capabilities. The service is designed to provide customers with a secure and reliable connection to Microsoft Azure.

"Being designated a Microsoft Azure ExpressRoute Metro peering location is a defining moment for Africa Data Centres as well as for Africa's digital infrastructure. It reflects growing confidence in the continent's ability to support the next generation of cloud and AI-driven services while demonstrating the strength of our One Cassava model. By combining the infrastructure capabilities of Africa Data Centres with the cloud and cyber security expertise of Liquid C2, we are providing organisations with the resilient, secure, and trusted digital foundation they need to accelerate innovation and growth," said Ziaad Suleman, senior vice- president of Cassava Technologies South Africa and Botswana.

As Africa's first ExpressRoute Metro deployment, Johannesburg now joins a select group of global technology hubs offering enhanced cloud resilience through dual peering locations. Africa Data Centres' JHB1 facility serves as the second peering location within the Johannesburg metropolitan area, enabling ExpressRoute Metro to route a single connection through two separate sites to provide built-in redundancy for business-critical applications.

The expansion comes as organisations face increasing regulatory requirements around operational resilience, business continuity, risk management and data protection.

To address these needs, Liquid C2's Secure CloudConnect enables organisations to strengthen cyber security, minimise the risk of service disruption and simplify the management of increasingly complex cloud environments, while supporting compliance with governance and regulatory expectations. The managed service also allows customers to work with a single provider while accessing infrastructure built to support mission-critical operations.

"South Africa isn’t waiting for the AI era - it’s helping to shape it, and that ambition rests on digital infrastructure the country can trust. With Microsoft Azure ExpressRoute Metro now available in Johannesburg, organisations across South Africa gain a more resilient and secure path to the cloud for their most critical workloads," said Vukani Mngxati, CEO of Microsoft South Africa.

"When businesses can build on trusted, resilient foundations, they can move faster, compete on the global stage, and turn South Africa’s digital ambition into real economic impact. We are proud to work with Cassava Technologies to help make that happen."

The new ExpressRoute Metro capability represents another step in strengthening Africa's enterprise digital ecosystem by combining hyperscale digital infrastructure with managed cloud security services. Through the integration of Africa Data Centres' infrastructure and Liquid C2's cloud expertise, Cassava Technologies is helping businesses across the continent improve resilience, accelerate digital transformation and support the growing adoption of cloud and AI-enabled applications.

Cell C has been recognised among South Africa's top-performing mobile network operators for customer experience and network quality in the 2026 SA Telecoms Customer Experience Index, an independent study by data science company DataEQ

The index analysed more than 652,000 public customer conversations posted on Facebook, X and HelloPeter between October 2025 and March 2026. Rather than relying on surveys or panels, the study measures customer sentiment based on publicly shared experiences with mobile network providers.

The report comes at a time when South Africa's telecommunications sector has faced growing customer frustration over network outages, billing issues and unresolved service requests. Against this backdrop, Cell C emerged as one of the strongest performers in both customer experience and network quality.

Strongest performer for network quality

Cell C achieved the highest network quality rating in the study, recording a Net Sentiment score of +45%. It was the only major mobile operator to receive a positive score in this category, while all other leading providers recorded negative results.

According to the report, positive customer sentiment was largely driven by reliable network connectivity, particularly in areas where users believed competing operators were underperforming. The findings also reflect Cell C's asset-light operating model, which prioritises investment in network performance and customer reliability.

The company's Escape the City, Not the Signal campaign also contributed to positive engagement by encouraging customers in rural and remote communities to share their connectivity experiences, highlighting dependable coverage beyond major urban centres.

Customer experience outperforms industry average

Cell C was also one of only two operators to achieve a positive Operational Customer Experience Net Sentiment score, recording +11%, compared with the industry average of -8%.

The report attributes this performance to positive customer perceptions of network coverage, data reliability and overall value for money.

In the area of mobile data services, Cell C recorded a +12% sentiment score, with customers praising the consistency and predictability of its data offerings. The report also found fewer complaints relating to data bundle depletion or missing data allocations compared with the wider industry.

The company additionally received positive feedback for its digital customer channels, including self-service options and promotions available through the Cell C App. Continued investment in digital platforms forms part of Cell C's broader strategy to improve customer experience.

Areas for further improvement

While recognising Cell C's strengths, the report also identified opportunities for improvement, particularly around customer service resolution times and account administration. The company said these findings will help shape future investment priorities alongside its continued focus on network reliability and customer value.

"Our customers have always been our greatest source of insight and accountability," said Melanie Forbes, chief marketing officer of Cell C. "This recognition is meaningful because it reflects the voices and experiences of the people we serve. Being recognised for both customer experience and network quality tells us that customers are seeing the impact of the work being done to consistently improve reliability, consistency and value.

"We also take seriously what this data tells us about where customers still expect more from us, particularly in how quickly and effectively we resolve their queries. That is where our focus turns next.

"Connectivity is not simply about staying online. It is about helping people access opportunities, building businesses, learning new skills and staying connected to their communities. As a brand that strives to be an ally to our customers, we remain focused on delivering the experiences that help South Africans connect to what matters most."

The recognition reinforces Cell C's ongoing efforts to enhance network reliability, strengthen customer trust and improve digital services. The company says the findings will guide future improvements across the customer journey while building on the progress already achieved in network performance and service quality.

Amazon Leo has signed an agreement with Herotel to introduce satellite broadband services in South Africa through a new offering, evry, marking the first partnership of its kind for Amazon Leo on the African continent

Expected to launch commercially in 2027, evry will combine Amazon Leo's low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network with Herotel's nationwide service infrastructure to extend high-speed internet to residential customers in areas where fibre and fixed wireless networks remain difficult or uneconomical to deploy.

The initiative targets South Africa's underserved rural communities, farms and small towns, where challenging terrain, long distances and low population density have limited the expansion of conventional broadband infrastructure.

Amazon Leo's satellites operate at an altitude of approximately 590 km, significantly closer to Earth than traditional geostationary satellites positioned more than 35,000 km away. This lower orbit enables reduced latency, supporting applications such as video conferencing, online learning, streaming and remote working. Customers will access the service using compact satellite antennas without requiring fibre or fixed wireless infrastructure at their premises.

Herotel, South Africa's largest fixed internet service provider, currently serves more than 350,000 active customers across over 550 towns through its fibre and fixed wireless networks. Its network of 120 local offices will provide installation, field support and customer service for the new satellite offering.

"Amazon Leo and Herotel share the same mission to empower all South Africans through access to high-speed internet. Herotel has spent years building connectivity across South Africa's farming towns, small businesses, and communities on the outskirts, and with Amazon Leo they can now reach even more people," said David Zapolsky, Amazon's chief global affairs and legal officer. "This collaboration is about breaking down barriers and unlocking opportunity for millions of people who don't yet have reliable access for work, education, or the services they depend on."

"We have always believed that South Africans outside the major metros deserve reliable, affordable internet," said Van Zyl Botha, CEO of Herotel. "With evry, powered by Amazon Leo, we will reach the customers that even fiber and fixed wireless cannot serve. It no longer matters where you live."

The announcement builds on Amazon's expanding connectivity initiatives across Africa. In addition to the Herotel partnership, Amazon Leo is working with Vanu to extend cellular connectivity to rural communities, beginning in South Africa. These efforts aim to improve digital inclusion across southern Africa, where nearly a quarter of the population remains outside mobile network coverage. According to Access Partnership, wider adoption of non-geostationary satellite systems could generate up to US$16.9bn in annual economic benefits for the region.

Amazon Leo has deployed more than 390 satellites and expects to begin providing initial services across selected regions this year before progressively expanding coverage and network capacity.

BoC Technologies Limited has partnered with Scale, Africa's card-issuing orchestration platform, to introduce virtual prepaid Mastercard cards for creators and creative businesses ahead of the launch of its platform in the third quarter of 2026

The collaboration enables BoC to integrate a card layer into its platform through Scale's infrastructure, allowing creators to access, manage and spend available funds more easily. The programme will operate on the Mastercard network, with UBA Kenya serving as the regulated sponsor bank.

The initiative is designed to address the financial challenges faced by Africa's growing creator economy, where professionals across sectors such as music, film, design, gaming, photography, fashion and digital commerce often receive income from multiple sources, currencies and payment cycles. As a result, creators frequently experience delays between earning revenue and being able to use those funds to support their businesses.

BoC aims to bridge this gap through its financial intelligence engine, SIBWE, and AI-powered copilot, MC Harvey, which are designed to help creators understand the value of their work, manage their finances and improve access to capital. The addition of virtual prepaid cards provides a practical way for users to access and spend funds once they become available.

"Africa’s creative economy is producing real commercial value, but too much of that value remains invisible to the systems that serve small businesses," said Syed Raza, founder and CEO of BoC.

"Our mission is to connect capital with creativity, helping creators see the value they are building, manage it with confidence and access capital when they need it most. This partnership with Scale gives creators a practical first touchpoint with that vision from day one."

Scale said the partnership reflects its focus on expanding modern financial infrastructure for Africa's fast-growing fintech sector.

Barbara Woollams, head of partnerships at Scale, stated, "Africa's creators are building real brands and businesses, but are underserved by a financial infrastructure built for traditional business. Scale exists to put modern card infrastructure within reach of the fintechs, solving exactly that. We're proud to power the card programme at the heart of BoC's ecosystem to give creators a fast, simple way to access and spend what they earn, and to give BoC the foundation to scale."

The collaboration is centred in Kenya, where BoC recently obtained fintech certification from the Nairobi International Financial Centre Authority (NIFCA). The certification provides the company with a regulatory foundation to launch its services in Kenya before expanding its creator-focused financial platform across other African markets.

TowerCo of Africa (TOA) Uganda hosted MTN Uganda at its Abira site in Arua District on 14 May 2026 as part of MTN Uganda’s FreeYOFire activities in the West Nile region

The engagement marked the official launch of MTN Uganda’s network on infrastructure operated by TOA, highlighting the role of TowerCos in supporting connectivity expansion and digital inclusion.

Connectivity has become an important foundation for modern economies, enabling access to essential services, information, and economic opportunities. In Uganda, this is particularly evident in the West Nile region, where digital adoption is increasing through mobile money, online education, public e-services, digital commerce, and instant communication.

Located in north-western Uganda, the West Nile region is strategically positioned between the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan. The region serves as an important centre for trade flows, human mobility, and cross-border economic activity, with Arua acting as a growing regional hub.

The increasing use of digital services has created greater demand for reliable telecommunications networks. However, challenges remain in expanding network coverage and improving service quality, particularly between urban and rural areas. Telecommunications infrastructure therefore plays an important role in supporting digital access and reducing connectivity gaps.

MTN Uganda’s FreeYOFire initiative focuses on connecting technology with community needs by promoting awareness, encouraging digital service adoption, and highlighting the opportunities created by digitalisation. The Abira event brought together operators, partners, and communities to demonstrate the role of connectivity in everyday life.

The Abira site represents a key infrastructure point in MTN Uganda’s network expansion strategy in the region. The activation of MTN’s network on TOA’s infrastructure supports the delivery of mobile services by providing the necessary foundation for signal coverage, communication continuity, and increasing network capacity.

TowerCo of Africa plays an important role in the telecommunications ecosystem through the provision and management of passive infrastructure, including telecom towers, pylons and masts, technical sites, power supply systems, and infrastructure maintenance and security.

The TowerCo model is built around infrastructure sharing, allowing mobile operators to focus on delivering services while TowerCos support infrastructure deployment, availability, and optimisation. This approach enables better utilisation of existing infrastructure, faster network deployment, and improved efficiency across the telecom sector.

The partnership between TOA Uganda and MTN Uganda demonstrates how collaboration between telecom operators and infrastructure providers can support the continued growth of digital connectivity in Uganda. Through initiatives such as the Abira site launch, the companies are contributing to efforts aimed at expanding access to reliable digital services and supporting the country’s digital transformation.

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.