Read the Digital Magazine

Orange Middle East and Africa (OMEA) has entered a strategic partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to boost access to digital services across eight African nations

The agreement was formalised during the Africa CEO Forum held in Abidjan on 12–13 May.

Focusing on underserved regions in West and Central Africa, this alliance aims to enhance digital inclusion and sustainability. It combines OMEA’s regional expertise and infrastructure with IFC’s development financing capabilities. Over the coming years, the collaboration will support the rollout of key telecom infrastructure, including towers and fibre networks.

The initiative builds on IFC’s prior involvement in the sector, such as its support for West Africa’s first telecom securitisation operation and its provision of sustainable financing to Sonatel. These efforts, valued at around US$75mn in 2024, have already strengthened Senegal’s digital infrastructure by expanding 4G and fibre coverage, particularly in rural areas.

Through this partnership, OMEA and IFC aim to establish a scalable investment model that bridges the digital divide, fosters financial inclusion, enhances regional resilience, and generates employment—especially in the digital sector.

“This partnership with IFC is a major step in accelerating our ambition to reduce the digital gap by offering quality, sustainable, and accessible connectivity to as many people as possible, especially in rural or underserved areas. By combining our strengths, we aim to build a more equitable digital future for everyone in Africa,” said Jérôme Hénique, CEO of Orange Middle East and Africa.

“Increasing access to digital connectivity in Africa is a key priority to foster innovation, expand financial inclusion, and create jobs. Strengthening our partnership with Orange Middle East and Africa demonstrates our commitment to positioning digital technology as a strategic lever for sustainable economic transformation, benefiting individuals and businesses,” added Ethiopis Tafara, IFC vice-president for Africa.

The ‘State of the Industry Report on Mobile Money 2025’, published by the GSMA Mobile Money programme, highlights two major milestones for the mobile money industry in 2024—crossing two billion registered accounts and more than half a billion active monthly users worldwide

This marks a significant acceleration in adoption, as it took the industry 18 years to reach one billion registered accounts and 250 million active users, but only five more years to double that growth.

According to the report, transaction volumes and values saw strong double-digit increases in 2024. An estimated 108 billion transactions, worth over US$1.68 trillion, were processed through mobile money accounts. Compared to 2023, transaction volumes surged by 20%, while values rose by 16%, up from 13% the previous year.

Vivek Badrinath, GSMA director general, commented, “Mobile money has emerged as a powerful driver of financial inclusion and economic growth. Its continued success depends on supportive regulatory environments that promote innovation, accessibility and help unlock the full socio-economic potential. To ensure mobile money remains accessible, affordable, and safe, it is vital for governments and regulators to work with financial service providers to support financial literacy programs, empowering underserved populations and opening new opportunities for financial decision-making.”

Sub-Saharan Africa leads

The report also underlines mobile money’s growing economic impact. By the end of 2023, countries offering mobile money services experienced a collective GDP that was over US$720bn higher than it would have been without them, translating to a 1.7% increase. Sub-Saharan Africa alone accounted for US$190bn of this, affirming the region’s leading role in mobile money innovation.

Sub-Saharan Africa remains the most active region for mobile money, with East and West Africa seeing the highest growth in registered accounts and monthly usage. In 2024, East Africa led monthly active account growth, followed by Southeast Asia and West Africa. The East Asia-Pacific region also made significant gains, ranking second in growth of monthly active accounts—driven by favourable regulatory conditions in Cambodia, Fiji, the Philippines, and Vietnam.

According to the GSMA, providers in East Asia and the Pacific are increasingly evolving into full-service financial platforms. “The most successful providers are often those who are actively innovating the breadth of their offerings,” the report noted.

Mobile money services have expanded to include adjacent financial products like credit, savings, and insurance. As of June 2024, 44% of providers offered credit—making it the most common—while about a third offered savings, and 28% provided insurance products.

Despite this momentum, the report flags ongoing adoption challenges, particularly among women. Of the 12 countries surveyed, eight still report a gender gap in mobile money ownership, with minimal improvement since 2023. Barriers such as limited awareness and low digital financial literacy persist—especially for women.

However, women who do own accounts are nearly as likely as men to have used them within the last 30 days. “To address these challenges,” the GSMA explained, “nearly 60% of mobile money providers have launched digital financial literacy initiatives to improve financial skills and drive adoption over time.”

Q-KON, a premier satellite services provider, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Rivada Space Networks to bring cutting-edge connectivity solutions to Africa and beyond

This collaboration aims to drive digital transformation and expand network infrastructure across the continent.

Under the agreement, Q-KON will utilise Rivada’s Outernet—a revolutionary Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite network—to enhance the reliability and security of specialised data networks, especially in sectors demanding high levels of data protection such as finance and banking. The Outernet’s multi-gigabit, bi-directional capabilities and global reach are expected to significantly boost network performance, supporting digital growth and new business opportunities.

Is Outernet ready?

With the rising importance of data sovereignty and resilience, Africa’s connectivity landscape is evolving. The Outernet promises a distinct advantage by delivering not just high-speed, low-latency service, but also robust cybersecurity infrastructure. Its architecture supports future-ready digital frameworks aligned with stringent data safety and privacy norms, fostering increased trust in digital applications and services.

Rivada’s Outernet differs from existing satellite networks by eliminating the need for data to pass through the public internet or third-party systems. It uses laser-linked satellites with onboard processing and an optical mesh structure that routes data entirely through space—from origin to destination. This unique design delivers ultra-secure, low-latency global connectivity, outperforming traditional terrestrial fibre on long routes.

Dr Dawie de Wet, Group CEO of Q-KON, said, “We are pleased to start working with Rivada to develop specialized LEO solutions for the advanced enterprise, industry and government markets in Africa and to complement our growing Twoobii LEO Smart Satellite Services portfolio. We view the Outernet as an evolution on the LEO architecture roadmap that will follow-on and advance the industry from the classic broadband LEO services currently being deployed in Africa, to unlock bespoke applications and high security service-specific user applications.”

Declan Ganley, CEO of Rivada Space Networks, concluded, “We are delighted to be partnering with Q-KON supporting the development of communications across Africa. Rivada’s Outernet is what data communications has been waiting for – a game-changing constellation which re-defines connectivity in terms of security, latency, capacity, efficiency, and coverage. As a completely new type of LEO constellation, the Outernet can provide Africa with a next-generation digital infrastructure for secure, resilient communications and network expansion.”

Clear and durable component labelling on solar farms isn't just a regulatory tick-box; it's fundamental for passing inspections, ensuring on-site safety, and enabling efficient maintenance

Non-compliant or illegible labels can lead to failed inspections, delays in critical repairs, and increased risks for personnel.Adhering to standards like IEC 62548-1:2023, IEC 61730-1:2023, and IEC 62109-1:2010 is crucial for smooth project handover and long-term operational integrity. Brady brings to the market labels that are tested and verified to not only comply with applicable standards, but also withstand the conditions they are exposed to in installations over the long term.

Reliable identification solutions streamline your workflow and ensure compliance. Properly labelled PV modules, inverters, junction boxes, and cabling allow for quick identification during inspections, saving time and preventing potential roadblocks.

Clear labelling also enhances safety by providing immediate information for lockout/tagout procedures and troubleshooting. Furthermore, well-identified components enable maintenance teams to locate and address issues rapidly, minimising downtime and maximising system performance.

The reliability of your identification system should never be compromised.

All compliant solar farm identification labels are printed on Brady’s durable label materials, engineered to remain attached and legible for years, especially in demanding outdoor environments. These materials are designed to resist fading and peeling, ensuring long-term readability. Brady’s solar farm identification labels have undergone rigorous testing in their laboratories, including the IEC 61730-2:2023 durability test, confirming their resilience.

Choosing the right identification partner simplifies this critical aspect of solar farm development. Opting for solutions designed for the harsh outdoor environment ensures longevity and legibility of labels, even under extreme conditions.

A comprehensive offering should provide durable labels and efficient printing options tailored to the specific needs of solar installations.

By implementing compliant and robust identification practices, electricians and contractors can ensure successful project completion, improve site safety, and facilitate efficient long-term maintenance of solar farms.

Investing in durable and regulation-adhering labelling is a direct investment in the project's success and operational efficiency.

Download our free Guide to compliant solar farm identification for practical insights into effective solar farm labelling.This guide illustrates where specific identification labels should be applied and presents solutions for fast and accurate labelling in the field. Discover how to easily provide the right information to inspectors, first responders, and maintenance teams with compliant and reliable solar farm identification labels.

Discover more about identification solutions for Solar farms now.

Huawei, a global leader in ICT infrastructure and smart devices, has announced its commitment to assisting Tower Companies (TowerCos) in Africa in diversifying their energy sources and adopting sustainable energy practices for powering telecom infrastructure

This initiative aims to help TowerCos reduce their carbon emissions, improve operational efficiency, and explore new business opportunities.

During his speech, "Lighting Up the Road to Multiple Business Future for TowerCos," delivered at the TowerXchange Meetup Africa 2024 in Nairobi, Li Shaolong, president of site power facility domain at Huawei Digital Power, noted that Africa is accelerating the development of ICT infrastructure. TowerCos, as key players in this process, are facing new challenges and opportunities.

“As mobile connectivity demand rises, TowerCos are under increasing pressure to ensure energy reliability and sustainability, especially in areas with limited grid access. Tower sites, often in remote locations, depend heavily on diesel generators, which are costly, environmentally harmful, and vulnerable to fuel supply issues. Huawei’s energy solutions address these challenges by incorporating renewable energy technologies like solar power and advanced energy storage systems,” Li explained.

He emphasised Huawei's long-term commitment to helping Africa's TowerCos transition to greener energy solutions, leveraging the integration of digital and power electronics technologies. Huawei Site Power Facility aims to provide TowerCos with comprehensive energy infrastructure and intelligent operations and maintenance (O&M) solutions.

A path to diversification

In addition to energy sustainability, Huawei is supporting TowerCos in their efforts to diversify by helping them explore new business models and revenue streams.

“This will drive TowerCos to become energy producers through innovative solutions and business models, leading to diversified business development, revenue growth, and sustained success in energy operations,” Li said.

He highlighted that with Huawei's eMIMO smart power solution, TowerCos can centrally manage multiple energy inputs—such as grid power, photovoltaics (PV), and energy storage—and multiple outputs ranging from 12V to 220V devices through a single platform.

“In this way, revenue-generating services like environmental protection and emergency response can be developed alongside communications services,” he said.

Li further stated that Huawei Site Power Facility Domain's main goals are to support network evolution, increase tenancy ratios, help TowerCos reduce energy costs while achieving green development, improve power availability, and reduce site O&M costs.

“Huawei will continue collaborating with TowerCos to innovate and advance energy infrastructure towards a 'green, simple, and intelligent' future, accelerating the growth of African carrier networks and contributing to a digital Africa,” Li added.

Sectigo, a global leader in digital certificates and automated Certificate Lifecycle Management (CLM), has entered into a strategic channel partnership with Altron Security, a South African provider of comprehensive identity and digital security solutions

This collaboration enables Altron Security to integrate Sectigo's cloud-native CLM offerings into its existing digital certificate management services, helping mitigate the risks associated with mismanaged certificates. As a result, businesses can enhance their security and future-proof their operations against the challenges posed by quantum technologies.

In addition to expanding their offering, this partnership follows Sectigo’s acquisition of the Entrust public certificate business, which ensures a seamless transition for Entrust customers. With a structured migration plan in place, Sectigo is committed to providing trusted CLM solutions that minimise disruption and guide affected customers through the transition process smoothly.

"We look forward to collaborating with Altron Security as we expand our footprint in South Africa,” said Jairo Fraile, vice-president of global partner sales at Sectigo. “This partnership reinforces our dedication to providing trusted and compliant SSL/TLS certificates and PKI solutions. By working closely with Altron Security, we are ensuring that customers experience a smooth migration process to Sectigo while benefiting from our range of offerings."

As digital certificates become increasingly integral to online security, businesses face the growing challenge of adapting to the shortening lifespan of certificates. The shift from 398-day to 47-day certificate renewal periods demands greater automation in managing Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) environments. Through this partnership, Altron Security is now able to offer Sectigo’s flagship product, the Sectigo Certificate Manager. This solution provides the necessary automation and security to prevent lapses, ensuring businesses remain compliant and secure in an ever-evolving digital landscape.

"We are excited to partner with Sectigo, a globally recognized Certificate Authority renowned for its industry leadership,” said Andrew Whittaker, managing director at Altron Security. “Sectigo's significant presence in the CA/Browser Forum underscores its commitment to upholding the highest security standards, ensuring the delivery of trusted and compliant SSL/TLS certificates. With the shortening of certificate lifespans and increasing security challenges presented by the quantum era, this partnership allows us to provide advanced CLM solutions to the market, empowering businesses to navigate evolving cybersecurity demands confidently.”

This partnership strengthens Altron Security’s position in the digital trust market and supports its broader cybersecurity strategy:

1. Strengthening Market Leadership in Digital Trust:
Altron Security has been a leader in delivering digital trust solutions in South Africa for over 15 years. This new partnership with Sectigo further cements its position at the forefront of the market. It builds upon Altron Security’s existing SSL/TLS certificates and PKI offerings, ensuring they meet the highest industry standards for security and compliance.

2. Expanding Cybersecurity Portfolio:
The integration of Sectigo Certificate Manager enhances Altron Security’s certificate management services, bringing deeper automation and scalability. This allows businesses to reduce operational strain, mitigate risks, and maintain compliance with increasingly complex cybersecurity requirements.

3. Enhancing Customer Experience & Trust:
The partnership presents a significant opportunity for Altron Security to strengthen its relationships with customers, especially during the transition from Entrust to Sectigo. By ensuring a smooth migration process and offering long-term stability through Sectigo’s trusted certificate authority services, Altron Security continues to provide reliable, scalable, and secure digital solutions that cater to a wide range of industries.

With this strategic partnership, Sectigo and Altron Security are well-positioned to meet the growing demand for digital certificate management solutions, offering businesses the tools needed to stay secure and compliant in a rapidly changing digital landscape.